Homes evacuated after explosion near Northern Ireland police station

Homes have been evacuated in a security alert after an explosion near a police station.

Police were called to the scene following an incident late on Saturday in the Kingsway area of Dunmurry, on the outskirts of Belfast.

Members of the public have been asked to avoid the area, with cordons still in place.

Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood said it was disturbing to wake up to news of a car bomb but added that there were no casualties.

Writing on social media she thanked the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and other emergency services who responded to the incident.

"It is distressing and disturbing to wake up to the news that a car bomb exploded outside Dunmurry police station last night," she said.

"It is deeply concerning that this comes just weeks after a similar attack just past the other end of Lagan Valley in Lurgan.

"The good and decent people of Northern Ireland, from right across all communities, rejected the bomb and the bullet in the past and will do so again."

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the full facts of what happened must be established urgently.

"Those responsible must be identified and brought before the courts," he said.