Police have arrested a man in connection with the discovery of a mortar bomb in Strabane on Saturday.

The 33-year-old was arrested in the County Tyrone town yesterday and is currently assisting police with their enquiries.

Police said the device was found near a family home in the Church View area of the town and was aimed at the local police station.

They have linked it to the group calling itself the New IRA.

The Mortar Bomb found in Strabane, County Tyrone. Image: PSNI

The discovery led to more than 80 officers being deployed to the Creggan area of Derry for further searches - where they uncovered a Command Wire Improvised Explosive Device.'

Up to 40 petrol bombs were thrown at police by masked youths during the operation.

An image of the device in Co Derry, released by the PSNI | Image: PSNI

PSNI Detective Inspector Andrew Hamlin is appealing to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Church View area of Strabane on Friday night, or the early hours of Saturday morning, to contact police.

"I believe an orange Fiat Sedici pizza delivery vehicle that was hijacked in the area of Mount Sion, Ballycolman, Strabane at 9.40pm was used to place the device in Church View at approximately 9.45pm,” he said.

"The vehicle is believed to have travelled along the following route: Mount Sion, Ballycolman Avenue,  Bridge Street, Market Street and Church Street.

"It was subsequently abandoned on Evish Road, Strabane.”

He urged anyone travelling the route between 9:40pm and 10:20pm, and who may have dash cam footage, to contact police.

A 33-year-old man was previously arrested under terrorism legislation in connection with the incident and was since released.