L'Derry Security Alert Declared 'An Elaborate Hoax'

A security alert in the Waterside area of L'Derry has been declared an elaborate hoax.

While cordons remain in place in the wider Crescent Link area, as officers conduct their enquiries, the main Crescent Link has been re-opened.

At around 10.30pm on Sunday 20 November, it was reported that a delivery driver was hijacked by three masked men at gunpoint in Milldale Crescent in Curryneirin who placed a suspicious object in his vehicle - a grey-coloured Ford Mondeo - and forced him to travel to the Waterside and abandon the car outside the Police Station.

A public safety operation was immediately implemented with dozens of homes evacuated and a large portion of Crescent Link closed to traffic.

Derry City & Strabane Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Nigel Goddard branded the actions of those responsible as futile.

Chief Superintendent Goddard, said: "The misguided and senseless actions of those responsible have caused widespread disruption in the local community and beyond.

"People had to be moved out of their homes. Children couldn't go to school this morning, while access to Altnagelvin Hospital for staff and those in need of medical help was impacted. The actions of those behind what was an attack on the community are reckless and futile.

"We hope the driver who was caught up in this horrific ordeal can recover and our thoughts are with him today.

"Despite the cowardly and senseless efforts of a few, the community in Derry City & Strabane can be assured that their local officers will continue to work to keep them safe. Between 10pm on Thursday, 17th November and this morning, our officers have responded to more than 300 calls for service. That's in addition to dealing with the attempted murder of two of our officers in Strabane on Thursday night, and this current security alert."

Investigations into the incident continue.

Chief Superintendent Goddard added: "This incident has been widely condemned by the community and rightly so. Thank you to all those who were impacted and to the wider public for your patience and cooperation."

Anyone who was travelling between Curryneirin and Waterside Police Station between 10pm and 10:30pm last night, and who has dash cam and may have captured the grey Ford Mondeo or believes they saw it, is asked to get in touch by calling 101, quoting serial 1664 of 20/11/22.

You can also make a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/.