'˜Suitcase' security alert in city centre

Eyewitnesses have reported that the object is a silver/grey small suitcase discovered beside a bin in the Strand Road and close to a number of local hotels.

A number of buildings in the area are believed to have been evacuated, and cordons have been erected across a section of the city centre.

There are unconfirmed reports that Army Technical Officers have been tasked to the scene.

Sinn Fein Councillor Mickey Cooper said there was major disruption in the city centre this afternoon. Councillor Cooper said: “I would be hoping in the next couple of hours this will be resolved. “In the mean-time I would urge people to avoid that area of Lower Great James Street and the Strand Road area from the Travelodge to the City Hotel and to the pedestrianised area of the city centre.”

A PSNI spokesman said: “Police are currently in attendance at a security alert in Queens Quay in Derry following the discovery of a suspicious bag in the area."