Three men have been arrested by the PSNI in the Waterside area of Derry city. A spokesperson for the PSNI said the men were helping police in what was described as an "ongoing investigation into terrorist activity." It is understood the men are being questioned about dissident republican activity.
The arrests were made at around 1.00 this morning in the vicinity of the Limavady Road.
Areas affected include Browning drive from the junction with Limavady road, Clooney Park West and East. Residents in the area have been contacted by police and have been asked to remain in their homes.
The searches are taking place close to a former army barracks at Ebrington which has not been occupied for some time. It is understood a passing police patrol stumbled on the three men acting suspiciously outside Ebrington Barracks.
PSNI Chief Superintendent Richard Russell confirmed: "I am not privy to all the details yet but as far as I know, police came across this activity outside Ebrington Barracks."
Police were searching the gardens and exterior of houses in the three streets as a precautionary measure.
The chief superintendent said: "We have already started searching with police and military dogs in the area and as more specialist personnel arrive, we will be doing further in-depth searching.
"So it is a matter of degree. We have already started some searching and more will be carried out as the morning progresses.
"We have tried to minimise disruption. We have tried to keep the Limavady Road open. It hasn't been closed at any stage so traffic is flowing quite freely.
"There is, of course, some disruption to people living in the area but we hope as we get the searching under way more fully, those people will be able to get on with their everyday lives quite quickly."