BREAKING: major security alert under way in Dunmurry
There were reports of a car bomb exploding near the Co Antrim town's PSNI station
Last updated 9 hours ago
A major security alert began in the early hours of this morning (Sunday) after reports of an explosion near the police station in Dunmurry.
Cordons are in place and dozens of homes have been evacuated in the Kingsway area of the Co Antrim town.
There are early reports that a car exploded near the PSNI station.
In a statement, police said: "Police are currently at the scene of a security alert in the Kingsway area of Dunmurry this morning, Sunday, 26th April.
"Members of the public are asked to avoid the area. Cordons are in place and an evacuation operation is underway.
"An update will follow in due course."
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.”
In a statement, 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.