PSNI: Strabane bomb 'designed to kill police officers'
Detectives investigating the attempted murder of police officers in Strabane on Tuesday night say the device was intended to kill or seriously injure officers.
Last updated 24th Mar 2017
It follows an explosion on Townsend Street at around 8.30pm where officers ahd been patrolling.
A 20-year-old was arrested in Newtownstewart on Friday morning.
He has been taken to Musgrave serious crime suite for questioning.
The incident caused major disruption with residents being evacuated in their homes in a security alert that lasted four days.
Chief Inspector Ivor Morton said police could have been dealing with fatalities.
“I am pleased to inform the local community that the operation has now ended and the area of Liskey Road and Townsend Street are fully reopened to traffic and local residents who were displaced during the operation have been allowed to return to their homes.
“I would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding during the course of this prolonged policing operation.
"Our primary aim throughout has been community safety and we are committed to doing this by working with the community.
"The security operation caused significant disruption to the people of the area, but was necessary to allow for a careful examination of the scene in order to keep people safe.
“This was a complex security operation involving what can only be described as a roadside bomb with a command wire attached.
"This device was designed to kill or seriously injure officers serving the local community in Strabane, but it was also left in a built up area where it could quite easily have killed or maimed members of the public - showing a callous disregard for the safety of the local community.
“It is extremely fortunate that we are not talking about the deaths of police officers or members of the public today.
“The blame for this incident lies squarely on the reckless individuals who placed this device. 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. " He said.