Residents have been evacuated with a town in lockdown after an “extremely serious” security alert.

Police have closed roads in in Lurgan, County Armagh, this morning following an alert on Church Place.

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Carla Lockhart said a pizza delivery van was reportedly hijacked in the Kilwilkie estate, and an object was placed in the vehicle before being driven to Lurgan Police Station.

She added about 100 homes have been evacuated as a result of the incident and that a controlled explosion has taken place.

Cordons have been put in place following the alert that was issued in the Church Place area at around 12.30am this morning. Ms Lockhart posted a statement indicating that the cordons are likely to “remain for a significant period of time”.

Lurgan Town Hall has been opened for those made to leave their homes, reported the Irish Mirror. Ms Lockhart said: “There is currently a serious security alert in Lurgan town centre, centred around the police station, involving a suspicious vehicle.

“The town centre has been completely closed off and is likely to remain so for a significant period of time. This will inevitably cause major disruption to the area, and we ask everyone to avoid the vicinity and follow all guidance from authorities.

“For those affected, Lurgan Town Hall has been opened to provide refuge and support for anyone who has been evacuated. This is not something anyone wants to see in our society today. The situation is deeply concerning, and I would strongly urge anyone who may have any information to come forward and report it to the PSNI immediately.

“I want to utterly and unequivocally condemn what has happened tonight in Lurgan. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted, and we hope for a safe and swift resolution. Please stay safe and look out for one another.”

A spokesperson for PSNI said in a statement posted on X: “Members of the public are asked to avoid the Church Place area of Lurgan due to an ongoing security alert, this morning, Tuesday 31st March. Cordons are in place, and an evacuation operation is due to get underway. An update will follow in due course.”

And that has been followed by another traffic alert from police saying: “Road users are asked to avoid a number of roads in Lurgan due to a security alert in the Church Place area this morning, Tuesday 31st March. Church Place, Church Walk and Wellington Street are closed to traffic, as are sections of Market Street, William Street and North Street.”

Lurgan police station targeted in ‘serious’ security alert as town on lockdown – Mirror Online