Police deal with fifth night of disorder in Bogside

 

Police in Derry have dealt with a fifth night of disorder in the Bogside.
Police have now left the scene of a security alert in the area of the city’s Walls where two suspect devices were discovered at approximately 3:40am this morning.
The devices have been examined by ATO and declared to be crude but viable. They have been made safe and taken away for further examination. No residents were evacuated and no roads were closed.
Overnight, 16 petrol bombs were thrown at police in the vicinity of the city’s Walls, while debris was set alight in the Lecky flyover area.
Speaking about the continuing disorder, Superintendent Gordon McCalmont said: “While the number of people involved in last night’s disorder in the Bogside appears to have been less than in previous nights, it is still unacceptable and I am very disappointed people made a deliberate decision to go out onto the streets and cause trouble, despite the clear message from the community earlier. I am, however, thankful this morning that none of our officers, or members of the public have been injured.
“I want to stress the disorder we have seen on the streets over the past five nights has been caused by a minority of people who have absolutely no regard for the community being impacted, and the people who live there.
“I am urging those who have been engaged in the recent violence, and anyone tempted to become involved in this type of behaviour, to stop and consider the consequences of their actions, and desist immediately.
“I want to finish by asking those in the community to continue to use their influence to help us maintain control of the situation so we don’t have another night of disorder.
“Our priority is keeping people safe, and I want to reassure the people of this city this morning that our response, should there be any further disorder, will continue to be proportionate and we will deploy the necessary resources to detect and deter those responsible.”