The British Army robot examines the van at Creggan where it was hijacked earlier on Monday.(North West Newspix)
The move follows the hijacking of a belonging to the contractor in Cregggan on Monday by a number of masked men.
A suspect device was thrown into the back of the van, sparking a major security alert.
Army Technical Officers were called to the scene and carried out a number of controlled explosions on the device.
It was later declared a hoax, but the security alert caused major disruption to local people who had to be evacuated from their homes until the area was made safe on Monday night.
St Mary’s College in Derry is open to staff and pupils on Tuesday morning after a hijacked Asda van was abandoned close to the school on Monday at Northland Road.
A number of residents were moved from their homes. A nearby community centre was opened to people who were affected.
A Housing Executive spokesperson said one of their vans was hijacked in Derry on Monday and that a contractor they work with has withdrawn services.
The areas affected until further notice include Bishop Street, Brandywell, Creggan, Rosemount and Rossville areas.
The SDLP’s Mark H Durkan said the area was largely populated by older people.
“When you see frail pensioners in their late 80s and 90s being forced to leave their homes in their dressing gowns, it really is despicable,” said the Foyle MLA.
“There is a huge sense of anxiety right across the city, and a huge sense of anger right across the city and understandably so,” he said.
The hijacked Asda delivery van abandoned at Northland Road on Monday night
“We can confirm that all three alerts are hoaxes however we cannot underestimate the impact these incidents have had on our community.
“The occupants of the hijacked vehicles did not believe when they set out for work that they would be threatened by masked men.
“The residents in Circular Road, Southway and Northland Road did not wake up today expecting to be asked to leave their homes for their own safety.
“Too many people were affected because of the deliberate and anti-community actions of a few.
“We are grateful to those in the community who worked with us to find temporary shelter for those evacuated and for the patience of the people of this city as we worked as quickly as possible to make sure it was safe for normal life to resume.
“We share your anger and frustration when incidents like this happen but our overriding priority will always be the safety of everyone in this city,” added Supt McCalmont.
Tags: