Viable device found during security alert

Police have urged the public to be vigilant following the discovery of the device

A device left at a residential property in Londonderry was viable and "posed a serious risk to the local community," police have said.

Cordons were put in place around Campion Court in the Waterside on Saturday evening after the device was reported at about 17:35 BST.

Residents had been given the option to move and a rest centre was opened at the Hillcrest Community Centre for those that needed it. The alert has now ended and residents have returned to their homes.

Ammunition Technical Officers (ATO) examined the device which was "deemed to be viable and made safe before it was removed for further forensic examination," a police statement added.

Cordons were put in place around Campion Court in the Waterside

'Thankful it did not detonate'

Det Insp Hanbidge of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they were "thankful it did not detonate before it was discovered".

"We would ask that the public be vigilant to any suspicious items or behaviour in their area, and report any concerns to us immediately.

"Officers will continue to maintain a presence in the area today as we conduct further enquiries."

SDLP Waterside councillor Martin Reilly said the incident had caused "needless disruption for residents and a drain on PSNI resources".

"Thanks to those at Hillcrest who made space available for the people affected but those who caused the alert are damaging their own community and need to stop," he said.

He added that those responsible had caused "inconvenience and worry for residents".

"We've had families disrupted on a cold, wet evening and the Top of the Hill community want this type of disruption to end."