A security alert in Derry has ended, say police.
A suspicious device discovered in the Buncrana Road area this morning near St Columb’s College on Monday, November 2, has been examined by ATO and declared an elaborate hoax.
Residents who left their homes have now been allowed to return.
Inspector Vince Redmond said: “I understand the disruption this incident caused for local residents who had to leave their homes as our officers worked to make the area safe.
“I want to thank the local community for their understanding and patience. Those involved showed a complete disregard to public safety and the education and welfare of those pupils impacted.
“I would appeal to anyone with information about this incident to call us on 101, and quote reference number 330 02/11/20.”
You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org
Principal Finbar Madden said the object was found at around 9 am on Monday at the rear entrance to the school.
He said it is an entrance to the school used frequently by both pupils and staff.
“Just around nine o’clock we became aware of what looked like suspicious device, just outside the back gate of the school, which a lot of our pupils and some staff use to get into school,” Mr Madden told BBC Radio Foyle.
He added: “Hopefully it is not a viable device, but even if it is a hoax device, it was left there in the knowledge it would cause disruption and potentially fear amongst staff and pupils and obviously amongst parents too”.
All 1,400 pupils, teachers and a further 60 support staff members had been successfully evacuated, he added.
Tags: