Youths attack police tending to suspicious object

Youths are attacking police in the North as they deal with a security alert.

A cordon line has also been removed by the youths in Craigavon, Co Armagh, as officers work on a suspicious object.

Police have closed the roads, army technical officers have been tasked and several homes have been evacuated.

A police spokeswoman said: “Police are now coming under attacks from youths in the area and a cordon line has also been removed by youths.

“Police are there to protect the local community and to prevent them from being harmed and would ask for the support of all of those with influence to advise the youths of the damage they are causing and the danger they are putting themselves and others in.

“Police would also ask parents to speak to their children and keep them away from the cordon points for their own safety.”

The suspicious object has been found on the road between Drumbeg and Ardowen.

This is an area associated with dissident republican violence and other unrest. There has been a series of vehicle hijackings and other disorder in recent times.