PacemakerA number of homes have been evacuated in a security alert in Strabane, County Tyrone.
A suspect device was found at Evish Square shortly after 09:00 BST on Tuesday.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the main area affected is the junction of Mount Carmel Heights with Newtownkennedy Street, which is inaccessible.
Melvin Sports complex is available for those who have had to leave their homes.
Insp Robb said: “We understand the disruption and inconvenience this is causing, and we are working our way through this situation as quickly as possible.
“However, public safety is of paramount importance and we appreciate the co-operation and patience from the public as we deal with this incident.”
Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle, SDLP MLA for West Tyrone Daniel McCrossan said the device had been discovered in an area where around 1,000 people live.
He said the alert had blocked off the only exit and entrance to a number of housing developments.
“It is intolerable and unjustifiable,” he said.
“Parents cannot get out of their homes to lift their children from school, people cannot return to their homes, carers cannot get to the sick, disabled and vulnerable.”
He said people in the area were “outraged”.
“They don’t want this disruption in their lives, they do not want their children to hear about this, to ask questions about it” he said.
‘Angry and disgusted’
Independent councillor Jason Barr said local people were “really angry” and “disgusted” by the disruption.
He said it was the third serious incident in the area in the last three years and people were deeply upset and concerned.
On one previous occasion, police officers escaped serious injury when a device was thrown at their patrol car.
