A Derry mother has spoken of her shock after her young child picked up the remains of a pipe bomb outside her house.

It happened in the Curlew Way area of the city at around 6pm yesterday.

The six-year-old boy picked up the device while he was playing in the front garden of his house.

A security operation has been ongoing at the scene ever since – and it is believed the bomb had already detonated.

Sectarian

His mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she believes it was a sectarian attack.

“It is because of religion,” she said.

“It is because I would speak to people from town, and have them in my house, that obviously other people don’t agree with – so this is the outcome.

“It is ridiculous that people can’t just let things lie.”

Shock

Speaking this morning, she said she was ‘sick to her stomach’ at the thought of what might have happened.

“It is just unsafe here now,” she said. “I just want to move.”

“I will be looking into getting somewhere for me and my weans to settle down – hopefully in a mixed area where I can bring friends that I want in.”

The PSNI say the incident "shows the blatant disregard by those responsible" and said they are "completely reckless."