A significant security alert is unfolding in Dromore, Co. Down, as emergency services respond to an ongoing incident near a nursery school in the Church Street area.
Multiple police cars are present at the scene, with a cordon established to keep the public at a safe distance.
The local nursery has been affected, and it is understood that PSNI officers have been escorting children out of the building, ensuring they are safely returned to waiting parents on the roadside.
The security alert, which has caused a considerable disruption to the community, comes at a time when Northern Ireland is facing heightened concerns over public safety and potential threats. The PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) has been on high alert in various parts of the region due to increasing tensions in the area.
This latest incident, although not yet fully explained, is part of a broader security climate that has seen several alerts in recent months. Local authorities have yet to confirm the specifics of the threat involved.
One concerned parent spoke to the *Belfast Telegraph*, describing the panic they felt upon arriving to collect their child.
“I was driving up as normal to collect my son when I noticed the road was blocked by a police car. I just thought it was maybe a car crash, but then I parked up and saw more police cars I started to panic a bit,” they said.
“An officer told me I could walk to the nursery, and when I walked up I saw another police officer with the huge gun and I was honestly terrified.”
Despite the unsettling circumstances, the parent praised both the police and nursery staff for their professionalism in ensuring the children’s safe removal from the premises.
“Nursery staff and the police were great in helping the kids get out to the parents,” the parent added. “My son didn’t really care what was going on – but for me and the other parents it was really scary there.
The PSNI has confirmed that Church Street remains closed in both directions, with a security cordon in place as they continue to investigate the situation. A spokesperson advised the public to avoid the area.
“Church Street in Dromore, Co Down is currently closed in both directions due to a security alert in the area. Cordons are in place and the public are advised to avoid the area.”
The nursery, which caters to local children, remains within the police cordon, and authorities are working to ensure the safety of all involved. While the exact nature of the threat remains unclear, local residents are anxiously awaiting further updates from the police.
As the situation continues to develop, residents in Dromore and surrounding areas are urged to stay informed and adhere to police instructions.
The safety of the children and staff involved remains a priority, and the PSNI is actively investigating the cause of the security alert. Parents and local residents are left grappling with the uncertainty of the threat, while the authorities remain vigilant in managing the ongoing situation.
