A FEMALE police officer's car has been set alight in Northern Ireland after a booby trap bomb partially exploded, according to reports.
The incident occurred shortly before 8.30am this morning on the A2 road just outside of Bangor, Co. Down.
The Army bomb squad have been called to the scene.
The woman officer escaped injury as she was not in the car at the time. It's understood that it was her personal vehicle, according to the Belfast Telegraph.
In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said explosives experts are examining the scene.
"Following initial enquiries at the scene, ATO (ammunition technical officers) have been tasked to conduct an examination of the vehicle," a spokesperson said.
Worrying reports of an incident on the A2 in Bangor this morning, thoughts & prayers with the Police Officer. An alarming reminder of the threat that still unfortunately exists in NI. https://t.co/sV6fmXtxYf
— Gordon Dunne MLA (@GordonDunneMLA) March 6, 2018
"The main A2 remains closed at this time while the investigation into the circumstances of the incident continue."
Speaking at a Brexit press conference this morning, DUP leader Arlene Foster said the news was "very disturbing".
She added: "A booby trap bomb has exploded under a female police officer's car. Thankfully she wasn't in it at the time the car went on fire.
"We do condemn utterly those who would seek to bring violence back to Northern Ireland.
"They failed in the past and of course they will fail again in the future and we urge everyone to work with the police service of Northern Ireland to bring these people to justice.
"We do send our thoughts and our prayers to the female police officer and indeed to her family."
