POLICE in Dery say the operation to locate a possible unexploded device in the Ballyarnett area has now ended.
On Monday morning police announced that it had closed the Racecourse Road between Fir Road and Springfield Road to facilitate a search following the report about the device.
But following a search police say nothing has been found.
Superintendent Catherine Magee said: “I would like to thank anyone affected by this incident for their patience and understanding while officers worked to ensure their safety.
“As we continue with our enquiries, I would ask the local community and people travelling through the area that if they notice anything suspicious they should contact police immediately on 999.
“Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 576 14/02/21.
“A report can also be submitted online using the 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/.”
The search came after dissident group Arm na Poblachta issued a fresh warning that it had left a device in the area.
Last month the organisation claimed that a device left at a roadside in the ‘Ballyarnett Road’ area had failed to detonate.
In its latest statement the group has provided specific details about where the object is claimed to have been placed.
It is understood that members of the clergy and a politician have also been provided with information about the location of the device.
The object is said to have been left close to Paddock Lane, a private development off the Racecourse Road.
The area is close to Ballyarnett Country Park and a short distance from Steelstown Brian Ógs GAC.
A spokeswoman for the PSNI last night urged anyone in the Ballyarnet district of Derry “who come across or notice any suspicious objects in the Racecourse Road/Paddock Lane area not to touch them following a report to police that a device had been left in the area”.
The spokeswoman added that “officers are currently making a number of enquiries into the report”.
Arm na Poblachta first issued a statement about the device last month claiming that several warnings had also been issued at that time, including one to a local priest.
At the time Chief Superintendent Darrin Jones said police had carried out searches via air and land “in a bid to establish the location of these reported items”.
He said that nothing had been located adding that the community and people travelling through the area “should be mindful of their own personal safety”.
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