By Q Radio News
Foyleside Shopping Centre in Derry/Londonderry was evacuated this afternoon in a security alert which has now been declared a hoax.
Police had responded to the report of a bomb being placed in the shopping centre.
However, the PSNI has said the alert is over and has declared it a hoax.
Chief Inspector Clive Beatty said it had resulted in "unnecessary fear and disruption to the community".
He thanked the public and the business community "for their co-operation and patience as we worked quickly to ensure the centre was safe to reopen".
"At a time when local businesses and services are trying desperately to get back on track, this type of incident only causes further harm to livelihoods," he added.
CI Beatty appealed for anyone with information about the hoax to contact police.
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