Londonderry: Explosive discovered near children's football game

The explosive device was found close to a sports pitch

A suspicious object found during a security alert in Londonderry was an explosive, police have said.

The alert began after a gang of masked men armed with weapons tried to take a delivery driver's car at Hollymount Park in the city on Friday night.

The explosive was found several hours later close to a sports pitch on Corrody Road in Gobnascale, where children were playing football.

Four men have been arrested.

Detectives believe the gang went there after threatening the delivery driver.

The men had been armed with knives and a gun.

Ch Supt Nigel Goddard said the explosive device had been "recklessly left in a public area".

"[It was] just metres away from houses and a sports area where a number of children were playing football," said the police commander for Derry City and Strabane.

Army bomb experts have taken the explosive away for a forensic examination.

Police have searched houses in the area and several items have been seized.

Cordons remain in place on Sunday as officers continue their investigation.

Ch Supt Goddard said the focus "remains firmly on keeping people safe against the threat posed by violent groups".

DUP assembly member Gary Middleton condemned the incident and said the "aim of those involved is to cause harm and misery to our communities".

A 34-year-old man was arrested under the Terrorism Act on Sunday.

Three men, aged 54, 32 and 29, who were arrested under the Terrorism Act on Saturday remain in custody.

Attempted hijacking

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Derry, a 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted hijacking.

The driver of a black car was flagged down by a man on Lower Bennett Street at about 22:00 GMT on Saturday.

Police said the man got in the car and demanded that the driver got out of his vehicle and tried to take the keys before leaving the scene.