Primary school reopens after being evacuated due to security alert in Waterside area of Londonderry

A security alert in Richill Park in the Waterside area of Londonderry has ended.

A local primary school had been evacuated, but has now reopened.

Superintendent Clive Beatty said: "The security alert in the Richill Park area of the Waterside in Derry/Londonderry is over. Nothing untoward was found during a search of the area.

"Both Richill Park and the local primary school have re-opened.

"Thank you to everyone impacted as we conducted our enquiries and worked to ensure the safety of the area."

Local MP and SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood described the security alert as "repulsive".

“It’s disgraceful that pupils and staff at Lisnagelvin Primary School have been forced out of their classrooms on a Friday afternoon as a result of this security alert,” he said.

“These are scenes that should be left in the distant past and it’s unfortunate that children will have to experience this frightening incident alongside having their education disrupted.

“People in Derry and across the North are sick and tired of their lives being interrupted by security alerts and similar incidents. The people behind this care nothing for the community here who just want to get on with their lives in peace and quiet.

“We need to see an end to these alerts and disruptions that continue to plague our communities, those responsible have no support and they need to realise that and move on.”

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