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School and homes evacuated during security alert

PSNI A police car is seen beside a school that has a cordon. The school fence is seen outside a large white building.PSNI
Sacred Heart Primary School, in Londonderry, has been evacuated during the alert
Joe Doran
BBC News NI

A primary school and a number of homes have been evacuated due to an ongoing security alert.

Police received a report at about 10:15 BST on Thursday that a suspicious device had been found on Trench Road in the Waterside area of Londonderry.

Sacred Heart Primary School, along with several homes and business premises in Knockwellan Park and Cromkill Place, were evacuated as part of an ongoing police operation.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said a public safety operation is ongoing, with cordons in place at Knockwellan Park.

Diversions are in place in the vicinity of Hollymount Park, and on Trench Road at the junction with St Brecan's Park.

Hillcrest Trust Community Centre has been opened as a rest centre for people displaced by the alert, the police have said.

A police vehicle is beside a police cordon. Another police car is stationed further up a road beside another cordon.
A number of diversions are in place in the area as officers attend the scene

Ammunition technical officers (ATO) are at the scene and have deployed robots to examine the suspect object.

The primary school is at the centre of the alert.

A large police presence remains in the area, including officers with sniffer dogs.

Google Some of the buildings and memorial garden at Trench Road Primary School in DerryGoogle
Police have reassured the public that they are working our way through this situation as quickly as possible

"We understand the disruption and inconvenience this is causing, in particular for the school community and all parents and residents affected," Ch Insp Pearce said.

"We want to reassure everyone we are working our way through this situation as quickly as possible and appreciate the co-operation and patience from the school community and the public as we do so."

'Widespread disgust'

Sinn Féin councillor Christopher Jackson said it was "appalling" that the school had been forced to evacuate staff and pupils.

He said pupils had been looked after in a nearby community centre, where parents were able to collect them.

"Those behind such reckless actions have caused a great deal of distress, disruption and concern to young children who should have been enjoying a day preparing for their summer break," Jackson said.

"There is widespread disgust within the community in Top of the Hill who want to see an end to this sort of mindless disruption and fear."

A police officer is in full uniform with his back toward the camera. He is standing near a police cordon and a two police vehicles can be seen at the far end of a closed off road. A grassy embankment, some houses and trees line either side of the road.
A number of police officers attended the scene on Thursday

SDLP councillor Sean Mooney said his thoughts were with the children, school staff and the local community who have been caught up in the alert.

"To have primary school children removed from their school due to a suspect device is totally wrong and cannot be condoned in any way," he said.