Calls for calm after two nights of disorder at Top of the Hill-Irish Street interface

Police say disorder broke out shortly after 8pm on Monday, 28 September, in the Strabane Old Road/Irish Street area where a crowd of what appears to have been mostly young people had gathered, some of whom were masked.

Officers came under attack with petrol bombs and masonry during the public safety operation. At around 10pm, calm was restored, however, officers maintained a presence for some time to ensure there was no further disorder.

Area Commander of Derry City & Strabane, Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney said: "An investigation continues into the disorder on Sunday night, and also last night, to identify those involved and, as we work to make arrests, I want to reassure the community we will have an increased police presence across the city.

“We recognise tensions are high, but what we have seen unfold in the city over the last two nights is not the response.

"The consequence is damage and disruption to the community.

"Last night, again there was an impact on the public when a road in the area was closed and drivers had to be diverted away from what was happening for their own safety.

“There was disruption for people who were attending events in the community, and the disorder will also understandably have caused fear for residents who deserve to live in peace.

"I want to reassure the community we will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders, and continue to work to keep everyone safe, including our own officers who bravely put themselves in harm's way to protect the community last night."

Sinn Féin councillor Christopher Jackson said: "The actions of a small minority on Top of the Hill on Sunday evening do not reflect the views of the vast majority of the local community.

"There are some who are trying to drag our communities back.

"Bringing petrol bombs onto our streets only feeds into their agenda.

"Our young people shouldn’t be used as pawns to give drug dealers and criminals legitimacy in the community.

"There is no place in our society for this disgraceful behaviour, and it must stop."

Ulster Unionist Alderman Janice Montgomery said: “The scenes at the interface between the Irish Street estate and Gobnascale over the past two nights can only be described as sectarian attacks, and they must stop.

“On Sunday night, youths armed with bricks, bats and golf clubs attacked the homes of elderly residents in Irish Street. Police lines were later attacked with fireworks, masonry and petrol bombs. Throwing a petrol bomb at a police officer is an attempt to take a life, and every officer who stood in that line deserves this community's support.

“An appeal for calm from community representatives in Gobnascale had little effect. On Monday night, youth football teams practising at the Waterside Shared Village were forced to flee the area, and police lines were again attacked with bricks and petrol bombs until officers moved in to disperse those involved.

“Children at football training had to run for safety. Elderly people were left frightened in their own homes. That is the reality behind these incidents, and no cause of any description justifies it."