Police appeal for information after four hoax security alerts in Coleraine

By Q Radio News

Hoaxes were behind a series of Christmas Eve security alerts in Coleraine, police have said.

Residents in the Heights area of the town were evacuated from their homes at 2am on Thursday following reports of four suspicious objects.

Army bomb experts were sent to the scene where they later declared the objects to be hoaxes.

A PSNI spokesman said security alerts caused disruption and frustration to the community at what should be an exciting and joyous time for families.

“It has had an even deeper effect on those who have had to leave their homes in the early hours of this morning,” he said.

“I am disgusted by the cowardly actions of those who placed these hoax devices and who made the deliberate decision to disrupt our community in this festive season.

“Today is Christmas Eve, a day when people are making the final arrangements for Christmas Day – a day when children are excited about the thought of Santa Claus coming to deliver their presents.

“However, whoever placed these hoax devices did not care about the upset and inconvenience they would cause. They have no thought for anyone other than themselves.

“Their actions are totally unacceptable.”

Sinn Fein MLA Caoimhe Archibald said the incident has caused serious disruption to residents.

“This is disgraceful. The last thing people need is having to leave their homes in the middle of a cold winter’s night and at a time when emergency services are already under pressure during a public health emergency,” she said.

“Those responsible have nothing to offer local people apart from disruption and inconvenience.

“I would appeal to anyone with information on this incident to contact the PSNI.”