Explosive device is discovered yards away from where children were playing football in Londonderry after armed gang attempted to hijack car

• An explosive device was found in Corrody Road in Londonderry yesterday
• Four men were arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000, police say 

An explosive device has been discovered yards away from where children were playing football in Londonderry, as four men are arrested under the Terrorism Act. 

The device was found during a major security operation after an armed gang attempted to hijack a car in the city.

Police received a report that a delivery driver had been approached by three masked men armed with knives and a firearm in the Hollymount Park area at around 9.34pm on Friday.

The suspects ran off towards Corrody Road – where the device was found yesterday to have been ‘recklessly’ placed.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and ammunition technical officers attended the scene on Saturday following the discovery of the suspicious object.

A viable explosive device (pictured) has been discovered in Londonderry, close to an area where children were playing football, as four men are arrested under the Terrorism Act

Three men aged 54, 29 and 32 were arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000, police confirmed.

They later said a fourth man, aged 34, had also been arrested.

Derry City and Strabane Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Nigel Goddard said it has now been declared viable and has been taken away for further examination.

He said: ‘A number of cordons remain in place as police continue to search the area as part of our investigation.

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‘We would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding during this time.

‘This explosive device was recklessly left in a public area, just metres away from houses and a sports area where a number of children were playing football.

‘Four people have been arrested and a number of searches have been carried out by detectives investigating this incident and an attempted hijacking on Friday evening.

‘They remain in custody assisting us with our inquiries.’

Police have confirmed the device has been declared as a ‘viable device’ and been taken away for further examination. 

Mr Goddard added: ‘Our focus remains firmly on keeping people safe against the threat posed by violent groups.

‘No matter what level of involvement people have with any criminal or terrorist activity, we will investigate and where appropriate, put people before the courts to answer for their actions.

‘Our investigation into this incident is ongoing, and we strongly urge anyone with information, suspicions or concerns about dangerous and illegal activity in our community to contact us on 101.’

Police received a report that a delivery driver had been approached by three masked men armed with knives and a firearm at around 9.34pm on Friday. The suspects ran off towards Corrody Road – where the ‘suspect device’ was discovered yesterday

Police said a report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.

For those who wish to remain anonymous, information can be provided to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Yesterday, detectives conducted a number of searches of properties in the area and a number of items were seized.

Previous terrorist-related incidents in the north-west have been blamed on the dissident republican New IRA group.

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