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Pipe bomb attack 'unsettling and worrying', says MP

BBC Gregory Campbell is standing outside near a number of trees and a black fence. He is wearing a grey suit, green tie and blue shirt. BBC
DUP MP Gregory Campbell says there is real concern in the community following the attack

An MP has condemned a pipe bomb attack on a family's car as "unsettling and worrying".

Police were called to the Nelson Drive area of Londonderry at about 12:30 BST on Tuesday after a loud bang was heard in the area.

They found that a car window had been smashed and a pipe bomb left on the windscreen before it exploded.

DUP MP for East Londonderry Gregory Campbell said it was "a worrying development", as detectives try to establish a motive for the attack.

A large hole in a the front window of a car
A family car was damaged in the attack in the Waterside area of Londonderry

The car owner, who did not want to be identified, told BBC News NI that he had no idea why he had been targeted.

He said he and his wife were in the house at the time and heard a loud bang, followed by the car alarm going off.

He said the device caused extensive damage to the windscreen of the car.

They had to leave their house for a time while Army bomb disposal experts dealt with the device.

'Very unsettling'

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today, Campbell said the motive behind the attack was still unclear, but that it had been unnerving for the whole community.

"The Caw and Nelson Drive area has a lot of elderly and young people, and while this happened at night, the device could have gone off at any time," he said.

The MP said are two schools in the immediate vicinity.

"It is very unsettling, and I think the police now have the most crucial role to play because the community needs to know what is happening and be reassured about the lines of inquiry being followed.

"There is uncertainty, and that's something the police need to clear up as soon as possible."

Campbell appealed for anyone with information to come forward and help the police with their investigation.