Lurgan Security Alert Declared An 'Elaborate Hoax'

A security alert that caused families to be evacuated from their homes in Lurgan yesterday, 17 April, has been declared an elaborate hoax.

A police operation took place on the Cornakinnegar Road after the discovery of a suspicious object. ATO examined the package and declared the incident an elaborate hoax.

Police have revealed that they received a number of calls during the day claiming that terrorists had left what they described as an unstable device in the area. The consequential alert caused significant disruption in the town, disrupting local residents and two nearby primary schools.

Chief Inspector Jon Burrows said: "I would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding during the course of this prolonged policing operation. A large number of residents were evacuated from their homes for a considerable period of time and pupils at two local primary schools were affected by the incident. The blame for the inconvenience, however, lies squarely with those individuals who left this close to a local school. They have absolutely nothing to offer local people or society in general.

"While this object has been declared to be a hoax our primary aim throughout has been community safety and we are committed to doing this by working with the community. The overwhelming majority of people in the community do not want this type of activity and we as a police service will continue to work to bring those responsible before the courts. I would like to appeal to anyone who can assist us with our enquiries into this incident to contact police in Lurgan on 101. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime."



(JG/CM)