Primary school evacuated in Belfast after 'suspicious object' found nearby

Police have closed the roads surrounding Christ the Redeemer Primary School in Dunmurry

Christ the Redeemer Primary School in west Belfast was evacuated following the discovery of a 'suspicious object' (Google Street View)

A primary school in Belfast has been evacuated after a “suspicious object” was found nearby.

Police are on the scene after the item was found near Christ the Redeemer Primary School in Dunmurry in the west of the city shortly after 9am.

A local source told the Sun: "Police advise some classes have been evacuated to the hall as a precaution. We have been liaising with the school and PSNI to limit disruption. Police have part of the area cordoned off."

Local bus service operator Translink tweeted that roads had been shut and there were diversions in place until further notice.

There have been reports of “chaotic” scenes as parents arrive to collect their child from the local church hall, according to the BBC.

A spokeswoman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said: "Police and army technical officers are examining a suspicious object outside Christ the Redeemer Primary School in Lagmore Drive".

Local Northern Assembly member Jennifer McCann told UTV said the incident will cause “a lot of anxiety” for local parents.

She said: “This is absolutely disgraceful, whoever was behind this.

“We don’t know a lot of detail about this device but I have been speaking to the PSNI and the school and certainly it has caused major disruption for the children, teachers and also parents.

“There’s a lot of anxiety for them, listening to this news and wondering if their children are safe.”

It comes as the city is on high alert following an attack on a prison officer on Friday.

A Semtex bomb was detonated underneath a prison van which was being driven by the 52-year-old.

The victim suffered serious injuries and underwent surgery but is now believed to be in a stable condition.

Dissident groups have warned they plan to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising by killing members of the security forces, according to a senior Belfast police officer.