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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
David Young

Homes evacuated after car ‘explosion’ outside Northern Ireland police station

The Police Service of Northern Ireland asked members of the public to avoid the area - (PA)

Homes have been evacuated following reports of a car explosion outside a police station in Dunmurry in Northern Ireland.

Residents in the area on the outskirts of Belfast were told to evacuate their homes, and the public is being urged to avoid the area.

Sinn Fein Assembly member for the area Danny Baker expressed concern in a post on social media.

“There have been reports of an explosion close to the Dunmurry police station,” he said.

“I would ask anyone travelling in that direction to avoid the area and if residents need support, to get in touch.

“At this stage, there is very little information, and I hope no-one is hurt.”

DUP leader Gavin Robinson described the reports as “deeply concerning”.

He said: “If this was another attempt by dissident republicans to intimidate communities and target the police, then it must be met with the full force of the law.”

Mr Robinson added: “Our police officers and the wider public should never have to face this kind of danger. Those responsible must be identified and brought before the courts.”

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said: “Police are currently at the scene of a security alert in the Kingsway area of Dunmurry this morning, Sunday April 26.

“Members of the public are asked to avoid the area. Cordons are in place and an evacuation operation is under way.

“An update will follow in due course.”

Last month, an explosive device that police described as “crude but viable” was at the centre of an attempted attack on another PSNI station in Northern Ireland.

A delivery driver was forced at gunpoint to transport the device to Lurgan police station in an incident blamed on dissident republicans.

The device did not explode on that occasion.

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