Latest: Police responding to third security alert in Derry; 'Suspicious object' in Belfast
Police in the North are responding to another security alert in Derry, as well as one in Belfast.
In Derry, the PSNI are advising people to avoid Northland Road, close to the Glenbank Road junction, after a report of an abandoned vehicle.
Folks we are responding to a report of an abandoned vehicle on the Northland Road close to the Glenbank Road junction. Please avoid the area at the time. #PSNI
— Police Derry City and Strabane (@PSNIDCSDistrict) January 21, 2019
That follows a controlled explosion on a hijacked van in Creggan earlier today. Another van was also hijacked this morning.
Meanwhile, Belfast police are investigating after the discovery of a suspicious object.
Road closures are in place on the Springfield Road and Lanark Way in North Belfast.
Road closures are in place on the Springfield Road and Lanark Way in north Belfast due to the discovery of a suspicious object. There are no further details at present.
— Police North Belfast (@PSNIBelfastN) January 21, 2019
They're the latest in a series of security alerts, and come two days after a car bomb exploded outside a courthouse in Derry City Centre.
Five people were arrested in connection with the blast, but a solicitor said the first two suspects, detained in the early hours of Sunday morning, had since been released unconditionally.
Later, the PSNI confirmed that four of the five men have been released.
A 50-year-old man arrested earlier today remains in police custody.
Four men, aged 42,34 and two aged 21, arrested by detectives investigating the explosion at Bishop Street in Derry/Londonderry on Saturday 19 January, have been released unconditionally. A 50 year old man arrested earlier today remains in police custody
— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) January 21, 2019
The PSNI have carried out a controlled explosion on a hijacked van in Derry.
The controlled explosion, carried out by army technical officers, took place on the Circular Road area.
A number of homes remain evacuated and cordons remain.
ATO have carried out a controlled explosion on the hijacked vehicle in the Circular Road area of Derry/Londonderry.
— Police Derry City and Strabane (@PSNIDCSDistrict) January 21, 2019
A number of homes remain evacuated and cordons remain.
We continue to ask the public for their patience, and thank them for their co-operation.
It was one of two vans hijacked in Derry today.
The PSNI is still dealing with a second security alert on the Lonemoor Road area of Creggan.
The PSNI is dealing with a second security alert in Derry, after a delivery driver's vehicle was hijacked by four masked men at 1:45pm this afternoon.
One of them is reported to have had a gun.
The two occupants of the van were ordered to drive it to the Lonemoor Road and leave it there.
The PSNI says cordons are being put in place.
Police in Derry/Londonderry dealing with 2nd security alert; Southway. Approx 1:45pm delivery driver’s vehicle was hijacked by 4 masked men, 1 of them reported to have had a gun. 2 occupants in the van ordered to drive it to Lonemoor Rd & leave it there.Cordons being put in place
— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) January 21, 2019
A security alert is currently in place in the Circular Road area of Derry.
The PSNI says the alert was issued after reports that three masked men hijacked a van at around 11.30am today.
The police service says the men threw an object into the back of the vehicle before abandoning it.
Cordons are in place at the moment.
Security alert currently in Derry/Londonderry in Circular Rd area after report van hijacked around 11:30am by 3 masked men who threw an object in the back before abandoning it. Cordons in place. Please be patient while we work to make the scene safe. Further updates to follow.
— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) January 21, 2019
