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Londonderry alert: Bomb under police officer's car Londonderry alert: Bomb was 'an attempt to murder police officer'
(about 3 hours later)
A bomb has been found under the car of a serving police officer near Londonderry. Police have said that a bomb left under a serving police officer's car near Londonderry was a "clear attempt to kill".
The device was discovered at Glenrandel in Eglinton early on Thursday, leading to a major security alert.
His wife is also a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
District Commander Mark McEwan said: "The target of focus of the investigation is violent dissident republicans."
He added: "This could have been a tragedy.
"This officer serves the community day and daily. He keeps people safe. Someone has crept in and planted a bomb underneath his car.
"I have spoken with the officers and they are calm and dealing with it in a professional way."
Fifteen houses at Glenrandel in Eglinton have been evacuated and army technical officers are at the scene.Fifteen houses at Glenrandel in Eglinton have been evacuated and army technical officers are at the scene.
'Shock'
The road is closed. The Foyle arena on the Limavady Road is open for residents seeking shelter.The road is closed. The Foyle arena on the Limavady Road is open for residents seeking shelter.
Supt Mark McEwan said the bomb was a "stark reminder" of the "severe" threat against the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
He confirmed that an "under-vehicle improvised explosive device" had been found.
He said: "This device had the potential to harm not only the officer but anyone in that residential area and those involved have shown a blatant disregard for human life.
"This is yet another example of the cowardly elements in our society who show no regard for the safety of local residents and the police officers who serve their community.
"We are obviously very thankful that this attack was thwarted and that no one was injured here this morning.
"Clearly there are people out there in today's society who are still intent on causing murder and mayhem"
The alert began at about 0245 BST. Jenny Bell lives in Glenrandel and her elderly grandparents had to leave their home.The alert began at about 0245 BST. Jenny Bell lives in Glenrandel and her elderly grandparents had to leave their home.
She said it was a "big shock wakening up to this news".She said it was a "big shock wakening up to this news".
"My granny is recovering from cancer and my granddad has Parkinson's disease," she said."My granny is recovering from cancer and my granddad has Parkinson's disease," she said.
"There are a number of elderly residents in the area. It is all going on outside our front door."There are a number of elderly residents in the area. It is all going on outside our front door.
"We have been advised to stay inside. We have never had anything like this in Eglinton before.""We have been advised to stay inside. We have never had anything like this in Eglinton before."
The leaders of the four main churches in Derry have described the attack as "despicable, evil and reckless".
In a joint statement, Bishop Donal McKeown, Bishop Ken Good, Dr Robert Buick and the Rev Peter Murray said they were appalled and there could be no justification for attempted murder.
Foyle MP Mark Durkan condemned those behind the attack.Foyle MP Mark Durkan condemned those behind the attack.
"These people are capable of using a viable device, but they don't actually have a viable political strategy, no coherent message and it is not what the community want," he said."These people are capable of using a viable device, but they don't actually have a viable political strategy, no coherent message and it is not what the community want," he said.
"Let's be very clear about the support and sympathy and solidarity that we are offering to the police officer concerned.""Let's be very clear about the support and sympathy and solidarity that we are offering to the police officer concerned."
'Futile''Futile'
DUP MLA Gary Middleton has blamed dissident republicans for the bomb.DUP MLA Gary Middleton has blamed dissident republicans for the bomb.
"I condemn those who carried out this terrorism act and hope that they will be brought to justice," he said."I condemn those who carried out this terrorism act and hope that they will be brought to justice," he said.
"This is a tight-knit, settled community and people here are left completely shocked and disgusted by this act.""This is a tight-knit, settled community and people here are left completely shocked and disgusted by this act."
Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Fleming described the attack as "wrong and futile".Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Fleming described the attack as "wrong and futile".
"We are looking to the future and we will not be held back by those who want to drag us back to the past," he said."We are looking to the future and we will not be held back by those who want to drag us back to the past," he said.
"It's time these people caught up with the mood and wishes of the Irish people and abandon their activities.""It's time these people caught up with the mood and wishes of the Irish people and abandon their activities."