An anonymous caller claimed on Friday night that a device had been fired at police at some stage in the past two days, but had failed to explode.

Warning

According to police, the caller said a rocket-propelled grenade was fired at police within the last 48 hours but failed to hit its target.

Officers today searched for the device on waste ground in Newtownbutler and have warned local residents to be "extremely cautious".

Police said leaving a "potentially deadly device on open ground was totally irresponsible".

Chief Superintendent Michael Skuce, commander for the area, said those that had fired the device in an attempt to murder police "had no regard for their own community".

He added: "Leaving such a potentially deadly device on open ground where anyone could come in contact with it is totally irresponsible, especially bearing in mind the school Christmas holidays are starting."

He said: "I would make a direct call to those involved to provide more specific information as to the location of this device.

"Let's not bring misery and destruction to anyone's door this Christmas. Let your conscience speak louder than your prejudices," he said.

Appeal

Police appealed for the anonymous caller to get in contact again.

The PSNI warned the public not to touch suspicious objects but to call police immediately.

DUP MLA Arlene Foster said it was clear that dissidents are active and in terms of police resources in Fermanagh there is an issue in countering these people.

Despicable

"This is completely despicable, coming at a time when children are getting Christmas holidays and when they are out playing," she said.

"Saying it is somewhere in waste ground, they really need to look at themselves. It is their own community they are attacking.

"Tell us where it is. These people have no concerns for children or community – they just want to cause maximum disruption."

UUP MLA Tom Elliott said those responsible are "reckless" and that it was an attack on an entire community.

"It is clear PSNI officers have been the target and I believe security forces need to deal with this threat swiftly and robustly.

"The chilling reality is that this device could have killed someone in the community."

He fears dissidents may be getting help from mainstream republicanism and reiterated calls for limited Army personnel to be introduced.