Allarme sicurezza a Strabane: polizia attaccata
Police attacked amid Strabane alert
Police came under attack as they attended an overnight security alert in Strabane.
Paint bombs and masonry were thrown at officers responding to reports of a suspicious vehicle in the Ballycolman Estate area of the Co Tyrone town on Monday evening. No-one was injured.
A number of homes had to be evacuated overnight during the operation.
Police said two controlled explosions were carried out at the scene but the alert has now ended after nothing untoward was discovered.
A spokesperson added: “The security alert at the Ballycolman Estate, Strabane area has now ended.
“Army bomb squad officers have finished at the scene and a suspicious vehicle located in the area has been declared nothing untoward. A number of paint bombs and masonry were thrown at police during the operation, but no one is believed to have been injured.”
Local SDLP councillor Patsy Kelly condemned those responsible and urged anyone with further information on the incident to come forward to the PSNI.
He continued: “This was a major security alert which caused serious disruption for up to 20 families.
“From what I understand a car with false number plates had been abandoned in the area, close to the pharmacy, and had been left there for several days.
“I condemn whoever is responsible for leaving the car there because they gave no regard for the impact of their reckless actions on the lives of local people.”