PSNI asked why they release photos of rioters in Ballymena but not Fountain Estate in Londonderry

Residents say republican youths have attacked homes in the Fountain Estate with bricks and fireworks.

Video footage on social media appears to show youths attacking a Land Rover with bricks at the estate on Monday night.

When asked, police have declined to explain why they have apparently not been issuing any photos of suspects or appeals.

Fountain youth worker Jeanette Warke said the tiny Protestant enclave has been under attack every summer since she started her job in 2003.

“We're all scared,” she told the News Letter. “Obviously, there's older people living up at the interface, and they're terrified when they start throwing fireworks and things like that.

“Years ago one our youth club members was hit on the temple with a brick. That wee boy was capable of going on to be a doctor, but he ended up pushing Tesco trolleys. It changed his life.”

UUP alderman Darren Guy said that last week a lady resident had to usher about 12 children aged between four and 10 into her living room when fireworks began landing around them.

“The PSNI have come into the area, but residents believe that at times they weren't doing enough to stop these attacks,” he said.

He believes that the INLA and other republican groups are orchestrating the violence and hoping to lure the PSNI into further attacks.

DUP MLA Julie Middleton said Monday night's attacks were deeply concerning.

“I was in contact with the PSNI, who had officers on the ground responding, and I also checked in directly with a number of residents to ensure they were safe and supported,” she said.

But TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said it was important that the PSNI are seen to be even-handed.

In the aftermath of the Ballymena anti-immigration riots last summer he said police “had no hesitation in publishing images of those alleged to have taken part in disorder”.

“Why therefore is there reticence about going down the same route when it comes to the trouble in Londonderry?”

He noted that police said 15 people had attacked police in the city on Friday.

“While their identity may have been obscured I find it hard to believe that there is no case for following the precedent established when it came to Ballymena,” he added.

The News Letter asked the PSNI why police have not been issuing appeals for information about the rioters attacking police at the Fountain – and photos of suspects.

However they did not address the question.

Derry City & Strabane Superintendent Claire Hamilton said some of those responsible were masked – but they left the area when asked by police.

Over the last week, there have been several incidents in the Bishop Street/The Fountain/Nailors Row areas.

Youths, some of whom were masked, were involved on April 20 and 21 and May 4.

Stones, fireworks and bottles landed in gardens of homes, she said.

Police have responded every time engaging with those present to resolve these situations, “and those involved left the area on each occasion”.

She said police have increased patrols and appealed for information, or relevant footage.