Two arrested after suspected firearms seized in flat

A MAN and woman have been arrested following the discovery of suspected firearms at an address in Londonderry.

It is believed that police were called to a flat in Waterloo Street, just above the city’s Bogside area, shortly before 5am yesterday following what local residents described as “a domestic incident”.

Following the discovery of the suspected firearms at the property, Army ammunition technical officers were called.

The upper part of the street, which includes a range of city centre bars and shops as well as apartments, was cordoned off for several hours.

One resident, who did not wish to be identified, said that police had told him to evacuate shortly after 9am.

He said: “They came in and said that they had found something during a callout at a flat down the street and that they were looking at it, they didn’t yet know what it was but we needed to move out of the area.

“Thebombdisposalguysthen arrived and went into the flat. The street was cordoned off all morning and into the afternoon.”

A man and woman were arrested on suspicion of firearms offences in connection with the incident.

The PSNI operation happened as Derry city centre moved to return to normal following the Covid-19 lockdown.

Many of the shops and cafes in the street, which had opened for the first time since March, were forced to pull down their shutters again while the security alert was under way.

PSNI Chief Inspector Jonny Hunter said: “Police received a report of suspected firearms at an address in Waterloo Street in Derry/londonderry shortly before 5am this morning.

“Officers responded and, as a precaution, ATO was called to examine the items, which have been taken away for further examination.

“As a result of this Waterloo Street was closed for a time. However, it has since reopened.

“A man aged 24 and a woman aged 28 have been arrested on suspicion of firearms offences and they both remain in custody at this time.”

He added: “I want to thank all those who were impacted by the closure of Waterloo Street this morning.”

Police officers attend the security alert at Waterloo Street in Derry city centre