THE police have allowed a number of evacuated residents to return to their homes in Derry as the security alert in the Southway area continues.
Cops are hunting what they describe as an “explosive device” and are blaming dissident republicans for leaving it in the area.
The PSNI say that while there is access to Iona Court, the nearby Iona Business Park remains closed as the bomb search continues.
Homes were evacuated on Thursday afternoon and traffic was disrupted due to the alert in Southway in the city following reports of a suspicious object.
Army Technical Officers have been at the scene all day carrying out searches.
The police helicopter and specialist search teams along with sniffer dogs are also at the scene.
A number of cordons remain in place as the major security operation continues.
Derry police chief Supt Mark McEwan said: “Obviously, at this time of year, there is very little light during the daytime and in order to be fully assured that we can clear (the area) completely we needed to wait till this morning.
“The people who planted something like this have no regard for the safety of this community.
“We are looking for an explosive device, something that’s in a very public area.
“One line of enquiry is that dissident republicans may be responsible.”
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Due to an ongoing security alert in the Southway area of Derry, a number of cordons are in place and traffic movement will be affected.
“The alert began after police received a report on Thursday afternoon of a suspicious object.
Sinn Féin Councillor Patricia Logue said families and businesses had been evacuated as a result of the alert.
“The people who create these alerts have nothing to offer the community and should desist immediately from their campaign of disruption,” said Cllr Logue.
The security operation co
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