A man had a lucky escape when he lifted a pipe bomb after it failed to explode when thrown at police in Strabane last night.
Police have been criticised for not responding to an emergency call quickly enough after the man twice moved the device in the Ballycolman area of Strabane.
Police have rejected the criticism stating they did not respond initially as they feared it may have been an attempt to lure them into the area.
Police said the alert began shortly before 8.25pm following a report, a device had been thrown at a police patrol in the area earlier in the evening.
A member of the public lifted the device and moved to an area of waste ground.
A bomb disposal team carried out a controlled explosion on the device and it was confirmed it was viabla pipe bomb. The alert ended shortly before 3.00am.
Chief Inspector Andy Lemon, PSNI Area Commander for Strabane said: “This was not only a deliberate attempt to kill police officers but was an attack on the community of Strabane, and it is very fortunate that no-one, either police or civilian was seriously injured last night.
“Had this device exploded it could have killed or maimed anyone close by. Those responsible showed total disregard for the local community and put the lives of local people in the area at risk.
“I would like to thank the local residents in the Ballycolman Estate and wider community in the area for their patience and support throughout this operation and I want to reassure them that we will not be deterred by this attack.
“We will continue to deliver the personal, professional and protective service that the vast majority of residents in Strabane want to see.”
The attack is the latest in the area and Sinn Fein Councillor Brian McMahon said residents were worried about how the incidents were being handled.
“Nine or 10 times these are all hoaxes but God forbid if a time came and somebody lifted something and there was an explosion,” he said.
“There could be a big tragedy here and then the questions will seriously need asked ‘what happened and what went wrong?’.
Chief Insp Andy Lemon said when there is a security alert, consideration is given to many factors including the possibility it may be a “deliberate attempt to lure police into the area”.
He said police did go to the scene after the object had been moved on two separate occasions – and while he commended the bravery of the man – he strongly urged people to “consider their personal safety” and asked them “not to approach or touch suspicious objects.”
And he called on anyone with information about the attack to contact police.
He said: “I would appeal to anyone with any information about this incident to contact detectives on 0845 600 8000.
“Or, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
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