The hijacked Ford Mondeo car outside Waterside police station
A delivery driver was confronted by masked men at gunpoint in the Milldale Crescent area of Curryneirin on Sunday evening.
He was forced to drive the device in his grey Ford Mondeo car to Waterside police station at Richill Park.
The driver was able to raise the alarm and the area around the car was cordoned off.
Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said today: “Following further technical examination of the object recovered from a hijacked vehicle outside Waterside Police Station on Sunday evening, November 20, police can now confirm it was a viable explosive device.”
ACC Singleton added: “This further underlines the reckless and callous disregard by those responsible for the safety of the driver, the local community and the police officers who serve them.
“I would again appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity of Milldale Crescent in Curryneirin or in the vicinity of Waterside Police Station on Sunday evening around 10.30pm, to come forward with information on 101 or through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
A number of homes were evacuated and a local primary school closed due to the security operation that followed the hijacking.
On Monday, Derry and Strabane police commander Chief Supt Nigel Goddard said the device was a petrol can with a pipe attached which was designed to look like a car bomb.
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