A man has allegedly been 'hijacked at gunpoint and ordered to drive to a police station' in Co Derry.
The security alert is ongoing on Monday morning, November 21 at Richill Park in the Waterside area of the city after the report of a 'suspicious object'. Cordons are in place and a number of homes have been evacuated.
Police say the incident happened at around 10.30pm on Sunday when allegedly "a suspicious object was placed in a delivery driver's car in Curryneirin and he was forced to travel to the Waterside".
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A number of men allegedly "forced the driver at gunpoint to abandon the vehicle – a grey Ford Mondeo - outside Waterside Police Station".
In a Facebook post, SDLP Councillor Martin Reilly said: "Security alert at Waterside PSNI Station at Richill Park with some homes evacuated and roads closed.
"Completely unwanted disruption to the Waterside community with people being evacuated in the middle of the night.
"Please avoid the area if you can."
Colum Eastwood MP told Good Morning Ulster: "I think that is again what always happens in these situations, where the ordinary people of this city are put at risk by people who have absolutely no plan, nothing to offer and are just trying to tell everybody that they still exist.
"I don't know what the point of all of this is other than to cause more disruption for ordinary people and school children who now won't be able to go to school today."
He later told GMU: "It seems that a man has been hijacked [in a car] at gunpoint and forced to drive that [car] to the police station in the Waterside.
"Details are pretty sketchy but the out-workings of all of that is another ordinary worker being attacked, a school being closed and people being evacuated from their homes.
"Ordinary people of course in Derry suffering as a result of the actions of a tiny minority who want to just prove that they still exist.
"I just don't understand after decades after decades of this strategy failing why they still think it is going to succeed when in fact it won't.
"The only thing that will change this country is people sitting down together, working together and persuading each other of a different kind of future but holding guns to their heads will do nothing as we should know by now."
Mr Eastwood added: "It's important that we send our solidarity and our thoughts to him [the driver] because that can be a very harrowing experience and I know so many people who've had to go through it.
"Of course, local people in our community having guns put to their head by people who pretend they're their defenders. It's just bizarre and absolutely wrong."
Lisnagelvin Primary School in the area is closed on Monday.
In a Facebook post, the school said: "Parents, I'm sure you are aware of the security alert at Richill Park.
"Following recent communication with PSNI this morning, the area remains cordoned off and school cannot open.
"To ensure everyone's safely school will NOT open today."
A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police are currently in attendance at a security alert in the Richill Park area of Derry / Londonderry following a report of a suspicious object in the area.
"Cordons are in place and a number of homes have been evacuated. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area at present, particularly the Crescent Link area where traffic disruption is expected."
A spokesperson later added: "A public safety operation in Derry/Londonderry continues this morning (Monday, 21st November) following a hijacking last night when a suspicious object was placed in a delivery driver's car in Curryneirin and he was forced to travel to the Waterside.
"The incident, which occurred at around 10.30pm, involved a number of men who forced the driver at gunpoint to abandon the vehicle – a grey Ford Mondeo - outside Waterside Police Station.
"The driver was able to raise the alarm, and a public safety operation was immediately implemented."
Superintendent Beatty added: "This reckless and despicable act has brought chaos to the local community in Crescent Link this morning, with many residents having to evacuate their homes. Local businesses and a local school are also experiencing disruption this morning. This is unacceptable.
"This must have been a horrific ordeal for the driver and we hope he recovers from this traumatic incident."
Crescent Link remains closed between the roundabout at Kilfennan Link Road and Altnagelvin Hospital. Officers are on scene.
Superintendent Beatty added: "We are working to make the scene safe and appreciate the patience and cooperation of the public and, in particular, those who have been directly affected. We will keep you updated with any developments."
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