Cars smashed up with golf clubs in what residents are treating as sectarian attack
Two cars were badly damaged in a predominantly unionist area of the Waterside in what one local councillor has said residents are treating as a sectarian attack.
UUP Alderman Darren Guy said a group of youths entered the Irish Street estate on Sunday evening and set upon two cars with golf clubs.
"Two cars were badly damaged with the windows being smashed, a wing mirror broken and a front wing damaged. This has left residents out of pocket. I spoke with a resident this morning who has had to take a day of unpaid leave from their work to have the windscreen replaced.
"Residents are understandably angry that once again they have been left to pick up the pieces and have appealed to youths to stop using their area as a battleground for sectarian hatred amongst youths from various parts of the Waterside and city side,” said Alderman Guy.
The PSNI confirmed they are investigating the incident.
It was reported shortly before 9.50pm a number of youths were in the area, running along Irish Street, some armed with sticks. They ran off in the direction of Anderson Crescent when confronted by residents.
When police arrived, it was observed that two vehicles had been damaged. One of the vehicles had its front windscreen smashed while the second vehicle had the rear driver side window smashed.
Ald. Guy said residents of the Irish Street area report that such attacks on property have been on the increase and has appealed to the police to do more.
"The police have responded relatively quickly recently, but the number of arrests for such incidents does not match the frequency of attacks,” he said.
The UUP councillor said the incident came amid a rise in tit-for-tat clashes and arranged fights between youths in the Waterside.
"I would appeal to any youths involved to desist from any further violence before someone is seriously injured or worse and to stop attacking the property of innocent families. I would also urge anyone who has any influence over those carrying out these attacks to use it to deter any further attacks,” he said.
Police are asking witnesses to contact 101, quoting reference number 1681 of 25/10/26 or, the witness appeal form https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals
Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800555111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/