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Security alerts are continuing in Londonderry after the Real IRA said they left four devices in the city.
A hijacked van has been left outside Strand Road Police Station and the roads between Lawrence Hill and Asylum Road are cordoned off.
An area around Bishop Street Courthouse is also closed after another hijacked vehicle was abandoned at Bishop's Gate.
At least three controlled explosions have been carried out. People have been evacuated from both areas.
Madam's Bank Road was closed for a time, but has now reopened. The Craigavon Bridge has also been reopened.
The police said they searched the areas, but nothing untoward was found.
The Very Reverend Dean of Derry, Dr William Morton, was one of those evacuated from Bishop Street.
"The police arrived and told us we had to get out straight away, and my wife and I and our three sons had to bail out very quickly," he said.
"It was obviously designed to cause maximum disruption, and I really feel sorry for traders whose businesses are so dreadfully affected and also to families, like ours, with children."
Police inspector Jon Burrows condemned those responsible.
"The victims today I don't believe were the police service or the court service.
“ The victims were the young students who couldn't go to college today because the college had to close ”
PSNI Inspector Jon Burrows
"The victims were the people of the city, the victims were the young students who couldn't go to college today because the college had to close.
"The victims were the traders of this city who've lost trade because of the disruption caused by these incidents.
"The community are the victims and the community need to unite with the police and condemn this activity and start giving us the information we need to put the people who carry out these activities behind bars where they belong," he said.
Closures
The Northwest Regional College said their Northland Road and Strand Road sites will be closed on Friday due to the alerts, and students are advised not to arrive for class.
Quayside Medical Practice is also closed, and doctors are dealing with emergency cases only.
The Department of Employment and Learning has said the Jobs and Benefits Office on Asylum Road in Derry is closed, but payments will still be issued.
Belmont School will close early at 1400 GMT.
The court service has also said that Bishop Street courthouse will be closed.
Friday's Crown Court jury trial has been adjourned until Monday, and jurors are asked not to attend until then.
Other Crown Court business will be heard in Coleraine on Friday.
Magistrates court business has been moved to Limavady, and family court business has been moved to Magherafelt.
'Disgraceful'
Sinn Fein MLA Martina Anderson said those responsible had nothing to offer the people of Derry.
"It is absolutely disgraceful that what we have here is an organisation that is offering absolutely nothing to our society," she said.
SDLP councillor Helen Quigley said the police had no choice but to cordon off areas.
"Nobody can afford to take a chance as to whether they're real or not.
"They were obviously designed to cause maximum disruption, and that's what happened here this morning," she said.
East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell agreed.
"We could be facing the city centre being gridlocked for a number of hours on what would otherwise be a very busy day.
"I understand this is frustrating for people, but the ultimate responsibility lies with those who hijacked the vehicles and placed them where they did."
Meanwhile there is a security alert on the railway line at Newry. Trains are operating as far as Newry but a bus substitution is in place from Newry to Dundalk
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/h...nd/8575778.stm