DETECTIVES are investigating a link between a hijacked car and a hoax object which sparked a security alert in Derry last night.
The alert is continuing this morning but police have reduced the cordon.
Only part of Asylum Road between Queen Street and Strand Road is closed.
Residents evacuated last night around 10.30 pm are still out of their homes.
The security alert started when the item was found in Bayview Terrace, close to Strand Road Police Station, shortly before 10.30pm on Thursday.
Army Technical Officers were tasked to the scene to examine it and later declared it a hoax.
At first light this morning, police commenced fresh searches in the area.
A possible link between the alert and a vehicle hijacking in Quarry Street at around 10pm is being investigated.
Dissident republicans are being blamed for causing the alert.
Local police chief Supt Mark McEwan said: “The blame for disruption this alert has caused lies squarely with those responsible for leaving the object in Bayview Terrace and I am thankful to local people for their support and cooperation.
“I would ask anyone with information to contact detectives at Strand Road police station by calling the non-emergency number 101.
“Or, if someone would prefer to provide information without leaving their name they can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney condemned those behind the hijacking and hoax alert.
He said: “I utterly condemn those behind this security alert close to Strand Road PSNI station.
“The owner of the vehicle which was hijacked must have had a traumatic experience.
“This has brought nothing but disruption to a main arterial route and in doing so they have shown total disregard for the people of this city.
“Derry is a city moving forward and those behind these incidents do not speak for the people.
“They need to call an end to these futile actions once and for all.”
Local DUP MLA Gary Middleton said: “There was significant disruption caused last night, a night when the Christmas lights were being switched on.”
He said scores of people were put out of their homes overnight, including at a local bed and breakfast.
“A number of tourists came back to get into their B&B were sadly turned away because of the security alert.”
