BELFAST, IRELAND (AFP) - Police confirmed on Sunday a car bomb attack overnight outside a police building in Northern Ireland, in what officials called a "reckless" attempt to undermine peace in the province.

The vehicle was driven late Saturday night through barriers outside the Belfast headquarters of the supervisory Northern Ireland Policing Board, but the bomb inside failed to detonate properly, Northern Ireland police chief Matt Baggott said.

"It does appear to be a device that has partially exploded, around 400 pounds" or 180 kilogrammes of explosives inside, said Northern Ireland police chief Matt Baggott.

"It is a reckless act -- not just in doing damage but also the potential loss of life."