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Strabane security alert: Bomb attack on police in Mount Carmel Heights Strabane security alert: Bomb attack on police in Mount Carmel Heights
(43 minutes later)
A loud bang was heard in Strabane on Thursday nightA loud bang was heard in Strabane on Thursday night
Two police officers have escaped injury after their patrol vehicle was damaged in a bomb attack in County Tyrone.Two police officers have escaped injury after their patrol vehicle was damaged in a bomb attack in County Tyrone.
It happened shortly before 23:00 GMT on Thursday in the Mount Carmel Heights area of Strabane, where residents reported hearing a loud bang.It happened shortly before 23:00 GMT on Thursday in the Mount Carmel Heights area of Strabane, where residents reported hearing a loud bang.
More than 1,000 residents are affected and children have been unable to get to school due to road closures, a local politician has said. More than 1,000 residents are affected and children have been unable to get to school due to road closures, local politicians have said.
Police are treating the attack as attempted murder.Police are treating the attack as attempted murder.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said investigations are at an early stage but it is believed an improvised explosive device was used.The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said investigations are at an early stage but it is believed an improvised explosive device was used.
The spokesperson said the attack, which caused damage to the vehicle, is "being treated as the attempted murder of two officers". A PSNI spokesperson said the attack, which caused damage to the vehicle, is "being treated as the attempted murder of two officers".
The road into the residential area remains closed. Motorists have been advised to avoid the area.The road into the residential area remains closed. Motorists have been advised to avoid the area.
There has been no evacuation from homes, police said, but major disruption has been caused, local assembly member Daniel McCrossan said.There has been no evacuation from homes, police said, but major disruption has been caused, local assembly member Daniel McCrossan said.
Police remain at the scene on Friday morningPolice remain at the scene on Friday morning
"People this morning who will be attempting to go to work, to take their children to school, will not be able to leave this area," he told BBC Radio Foyle. Mr McCrossan, who represents the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), it was a "very serious situation".
He said it was a "very serious situation". He said he had heard the bang overnight and was also contacted by a number of constituents.
Mr McCrossan, who represents the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), said he had heard the bang overnight and was also contacted by a number of constituents.
"It was very clear something wasn't right," he said."It was very clear something wasn't right," he said.
He added that Mount Carmel Heights is one of Strabane's largest residential areas.He added that Mount Carmel Heights is one of Strabane's largest residential areas.
The Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) denounced the attack as a "desperate, reckless act to murder officers working for the entire community".
PFNI chair Liam Kelly said: "The attackers wanted their roadside device to cause maximum damage and we are thankful they failed in their objective.
"The terrorist threat is rated 'substantial' and I would appeal to all officers to step up their vigilance."
Police will very likely be working on the assumption this was an attack carried out by the New IRA.
It has been on the back foot in recent years, after an MI5 bugging operation led to the arrest and charging of its alleged leadership in 2020.
In March, MI5 lowered the threat level to Northern Ireland for the first time in 12 years.
While the New IRA was not considered to have the capabilities of a few years ago, the police always maintained it remained dangerous.
It claimed to have opened fire on police officers in Londonderry in August.
But virtually all attempted attacks have been thwarted in recent times and its last period of more intense activity was around 2019.
Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheal Martin said: "Any such attempt to injure members of the security forces or the PSNI would be absolutely shocking and stands to be condemned."
Sinn Féin assembly member Maolíosa McHugh said the attack was "not only on the PSNI but on the whole community".
"There is no place for this type of activity in our society and those responsible should get off the backs of the community.
"What this has resulted in was huge disruption for local people this morning, preventing many from leaving their homes to go to work or school."
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member Tom Buchanan said police officers are on the frontline to protect and serve the community.
"I am glad the police officers have survived this attempt to take life. My thoughts are with them and their families," he said.
'Shocked and disgusted'
Chair of the Derry and Strabane Policing and Community Safety Partnership, Darren Guy, said those responsible "have absolutely no concern for people living in the area".
People in Strabane "are shocked and disgusted", he added.
Earlier this year, the dissident republican terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland was lowered for the first time in 12 years.
Since 2010, it had been severe, meaning an attack, or attacks, were highly likely.
In March, it was lowered to substantial, meaning attacks are likely.
The terror alert level is based on analysis of intelligence by MI5.