A police superintendent has appealed for calm after PSNI officers came under attack and two vehicles were damaged during an operation in Creggan on Friday night.

A gang of youths, some of whom were masked, fired objects including bottles and stones at police during the disorder in the Creevagh Heights area on Friday.

A decision was taken to close the Creevagh Road, country-bound, with the public advised to avoid the area during the incident.

Speaking late on Friday, Police Service of Northern Ireland Superintendent Claire Hamilton said: “Officers who were present in Creevagh Heights today as part of an ongoing policing operation have come under attack this evening from a number of youths, who gathered earlier this evening and began making threats of violence towards police.

placeholder image — Police Service of Northern Ireland Superintendent Claire Hamilton.

“Some of the youths were wearing masks, some were also armed with weapons, while some had tins of paint and fireworks. They subsequently proceeded to throw items, including stones and bottles, at officers, causing damage to two police vehicles."

“A number of people remained in the area late into Friday, she said, adding that a public safety operation had been in place ‘to deal with the disorder’.

“This is completely unacceptable behaviour," Superintendent Hamilton added. “Attacking officers while they’re performing duties to protect the public – and we know it is not welcomed by the wider community."

Urging those involved to cease such activities, she added that PSNI officers had been engaging with local community representatives on Friday evening “and we would reiterate our appeal for calm.”