Constable Stephen Carroll lured to his death in a bogus 999 call

DETECTIVES have launched an investigation after shots were fired at police in west Belfast.

In a suspected dissident republican gun attack, officers were responding to what now appears to have been a false burglary call in Foxes Glen, Dunmurry around 1pm on Thursday.

Three police officers – one female and two males, attending the scene, along with local resdients, heard a number of gunshots.

None of the officers were injured but the PSNI say they have been “badly shaken”.

An initial investigation has revealed that the burglary call was “fake,” added the PSNI.

The area has now been sealed off for forensic examination.

Crime Scene Investigators will be looking for a firing point and also spent cartridges to determine what weapon was used.

The PSNI said one current line of inquiry was that the crew may have been lured to the area to be targeted.

Dissident republicans have targeted PSNI patrols before in area west.

It is not the first time dissidents have used the tactic of luring police into a trap.

In March 2009, Constable Stephen Carroll was shot dead in Craigavon when his patrol answered a 999 call.

However, unknown to the PSNI, the call was bogus and the Continuity IRA opened fire on Constable Carroll’s car as it arrived at the scene.