Boy, 13, arrested after missiles thrown at police

2 days ago 6

BBC The picture shows the back of a police officer dressed in a yellow high-vis coat and a parked white, yellow and blue police car. On the back of the coat is the word "POLICE" in white letters on a rectangular blue background.

A 13-year-old boy has been arrested after petrol bombs and other missiles were thrown at police vehicles in Londonderry on Tuesday evening.

At about 17:30 BST it was reported to police that a number of masked young people had gathered in the Bishop Street area.

"A number of glass bottles were thrown, with fireworks also set off and petrol bombs and masonry thrown at police vehicles," Insp Ferriby said.

The teenage boy was arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and has since been released on bail.

Bishop Street was closed temporarily to deal with the disorder, causing disruption in the area.

Police said there had been several incidents of antisocial behaviour in the Bishop Street/The Fountain/Nailors Row area in recent weeks.

A number of people, believed to be youths and some wearing masks, were involved on the evenings of 20 and 21 April, 4 May as well as Tuesday evening, the force said.

"An investigation is under way to identify all those involved, and we will take action against anyone identified as committing offences," Insp Ferriby said

Julie Middleton looking straight down the camera. She is wearing glasses and has long dark brown hair. She's wearing a striped top.

Julie Middleton, a Democratic Unionist Party assembly member (MLA), said she had been contacted by residents of the Fountain at around 17:00 on Tuesday, who reported fireworks being thrown into the estate.

Middleton said the attacks on the Fountain estate "are absolutely senseless".

"There is no justification, they are sectarian, and certainly in this instance it is well documented it is young people carrying out the attacks," she told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme.

"Someone is going to end up very seriously injured if this continues," she said.

'Better and brighter paths'

She said she believes those involved also know attacking the Fountain will likely lead to a confrontation with police.

"It goes hand in hand unfortunately…it always starts with attacking the Fountain," she said.

"As much as this angers me it makes me really sad… there are better and brighter paths for our young people if they are guided in the correct way," Middleton said.

The DUP MLA said ongoing attacks on the Fountain have left residents "intimidated and isolated".

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