POLICE have revealed that a suspect device found in the Bogside area of Derry last night was a “viable pipe bomb” device.
The deadly device was discovered by a man walking his dog close to the junction of Cable Street and Westland Street near a youth club around 8.45 pm.
A number of homes were evacuated and Westland Street was closed off to allow army bomb squad officers to deal with the device.
British Army bomb disposal teams were tasked to the scene and following an examition declared it as “‘viable pipe bomb device”.
Local Sinn Fein councillor Colly Kelly condemned those behind the incident, which he said caused disruption to many families in the area.
He added that the device was found close to a youth club which was packed with young children at the time.
PSNI Chief Inspector Gordon McCalmont appealed to the public for information.
“This security alert caused considerable disruption to a large amount of local residents and I would like to thank those people affected for their support and patience while we dealt with this viable device to make the area safe,” he said.
“I would ask anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the Westland Street area recently, or anyone who knows anything about this incident, to contact detectives at Strand Road Police Station on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1025 of 10/11/16.
“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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