District commander for Derry and Strabane Supt Gordon McCalmont said he believes the New IRA are storing explosives and component parts in Creggan estate.
He said he believes the New IRA were behind a bid to kill or seriously maim police with a deadly mortar device in Strabane on Saturday morning.
The lethal weapon was found on a wall in Church View close to the local police station.
A local mother said her children could have been killed if the device had have exploded.
As a result of the mortar find Supt McCalmont said a “public safety operation is taking place in Creggan against the New IRA
Following the attack in Strabane at the weekend, Superintendent Gordon McCalmont says: “The New IRA members behind this attack are living in the community.
“They are building bombs and storing weapons.
”To further highlight the recklessness and total disregard shown by the New IRA, a public safety operation is taking place in Creggan this morning involving approximately 80 officers and explosive detection dogs.
“Our assessment is that this group is concealing bomb making materials. We have a number of areas of focus however there is nothing definitive and no guarantees. However our chances of success are improved by support and information from the community.
“I would strongly urge people to report any suspicions they have about dangerous and illegal activity in our community.”
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