Three arrests after another night of trouble in Bogside

More than 25 petrol bombs were thrown and a car was set on fire during the sporadic disturbances in the city’s Bogside area.

Three people were arrested, with police warning that more arrests would follow.

The area has witnessed trouble on three consecutive nights.

Over the weekend, youths from the nationalist Bogside launched attacks on the nearby unionist Fountain estate.

A number of older people living in the sheltered accommodation found themselves in the firing line amid a hail of petrol bombs and other missiles.

Earlier on Monday, around 100 residents from the Bogside held a rally to show support for Fountain residents.

They walked to the estate to demonstrate that the disorder was not in their name.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has condemned the latest night of trouble, which was centred within the Bogside.

Chief Inspector Alan Hutton said: “We are disappointed that some people decided to continue the public disorder in the Bogside last night, despite the clear message from the community earlier.

“This morning, following the disorder in the Bogside area of the city last night, we have two officers and a member of the public injured. I am very proud of how my colleagues stood in the face of danger, working to bring this situation under control but I am saddened and angry that again we find ourselves subject to serious violence from the communities we serve. Let me be clear, we have made three arrests last night and with a robust criminal justice strategy in place, there will be more.”

He added: “The local community needs to see a resolution to this issue now. Collectively, we cannot afford to wait and we cannot have night after night of violence on our streets. Following three nights of disorder, we have a number of police officers who are no longer available to deliver their core policing duties, protecting the communities they serve.

“And the huge impact on our city cannot be ignored. As we strive to promote our positive image, the negative effect of these violent pictures on jobs, tourism and investment cannot be underestimated. We do not want to take a backward step. I urge all those with influence to urgently use it to bring a resolution to the violence and work towards a longer term solution for the issues affecting this area.”