Police investigate 'armed road block'

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Police are investigating reports that armed men staged an illegal road block in a rural area of Co Down.

DUP South Down representative Jim Wells said he had been told three men were involved in the incident at Attical near Kilkeel.

Dissident republicans have been blamed for similar incidents in the past, but police said they are following a number of lines of inquiry.

Mr Wells said: "I have received reports that armed men stopped cars near Attical.

"This caused alarm in the area and I strongly believe that this was a repeat of a similar roadblock which occurred near Rostrevor in November."

He said he feared the incident may have been linked to a possible attack on police.

It is reported that the police helicopter was used to investigate the incident.

A spokesperson for the police service said: "Police in Newry are investigating reports of suspicious activity involving the possible showing of a weapon in the Attical area of Kilkeel shortly before 9pm last night.

"A number of lines of inquiries were followed up and are continuing today."

Police appealed for anyone with information to come forward.