A SECURITY operation is continuing in Feeny, near Dungiven to make safe a lethal bomb device.
British Army Technical Officers carried out a controlled explosion on the item on Wednesday following searches in the Carnanbane Road and Banagher Road areas
The security alert is expected to continue until at least lunchtime today.
The alert was sparked after an anonymous telephone call was passed to police on Tuesday evening.
Superintendent John Magill said: “This is the second security alert in the area since mid-November.
“Again, we have had road closures and disruption caused to a rural community.
“People are trying to go about their day to day lives.
“They are trying to get children to school, visit elderly relatives and go about their working week.
“The last thing people need is the recklessness and disruption created by these incidents.”
He added: “We have had officers in the area since Tuesday evening. These officers have worked hard to keep people safe during the security alert.
“However, these same officers could have been better used in meeting areas of community concern during the past 21 hours.
“Arresting drug dealers, drink drivers or working with victims of domestic abuse, for example.
“The blame for this incident lies squarely on the reckless individuals who placed the device.
“My message for them is simple; give the community a break.”
Anyone with information on who may have been responsible for leaving the device is asked to contact police on the non-emergency number 101 or contact Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.