Explosion at Belfast police station

PSNI officers are investigating the cause of a small explosion at the Old Park police station in north Belfast early this morning…

PSNI officers are investigating the cause of a small explosion at the Old Park police station in north Belfast early this morning.

The explosion caused minor damage to the perimeter fence at the rear of the station.

A police spokeswoman said a number of surrounding properties were evacuated.

North Belfast DUP MP Nigel Dodds condemned the bombing, which he said has “all the hallmarks” of a dissident republican attack.

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“These reckless terrorists cared not they were putting the lives of local people at risk with this explosive device,” he said. “Whilst this station is no longer operational there remains a guard presence 24 hours a day and there is no doubt that those responsible sought to inflict serious injury or death.”

Sinn Féin Assembly member Gerry Kelly said the bombing was reckless and pointless .

"Someone needs to explain why this attack, which could have caused serious injury or worse, was directed at what is already a derelict facility?" he said. "Those responsible offer our community nothing other than to cause disruption and create the potential for someone to lose their lives."

SDLP MLA Alban Maginness said dissident republicans were trying to exacerbate tension in the community and destabilise the political situation.

"Unfortunately, these dissident attacks are taking advantage of the political uncertainty that exists at the moment and this incident should spur politicians on to reach an agreement on the way forward for Northern Ireland," he said.

Dissident republicans have been blamed for several recent attacks on police stations in south Armagh. Bessbrook barracks was shot at on Sunday night but nobody was injured.