Londonderry: Children as young as six are involved in trouble

Updated 13 minutes ago

According to police, children as young as six were involved in riots in the Creggan district of Londonderry.

Petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks were thrown at officers during a security alert in Southway on Tuesday evening.

It began after police found a suspicious explosive device while responding to a sudden death in nearby Magowan Park, which later turned out to be an elaborate hoax.

Derry’s top police officer, Ch Supt Gillian Kearney, described the anger as “pointless”.

A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of violent conduct.

“It is disgraceful that this disturbance occurred when officers were dealing with such a sensitive incident,” said Ch Supt Kearney.

“There are reports that children between the ages of six and seven were involved.

“This is criminal exploitation of children.

“It also harms local communities and diverts our resources from dealing with the issues that matter most.”

Those involved left the area around midnight, police said.

There are no reports of injuries. Some police vehicles were damaged.

The leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), Colum Eastwood, condemned the attack on the police.

“Particularly disheartening are the reports that incidents may have involved children, who put their own futures at risk by recklessly attacking police Land Rovers,” he said.

The Foyle MP appealed for calm and said that “the people of Derry do not want this”.

“And none of us want children to miss out on opportunities by getting involved in this,” he said.

Gary Middleton, Democratic Unionist MP for Foyle, said the reports that young children had been involved were “unbelievable”.

Six-year-olds, he said, “don’t come with incendiary devices and fireworks.”

“They were used and exploited by others in the area who clearly did not care about the lives of these children or the police officers who attacked them,” he said.

“This was a disgraceful attack on police officers who work on behalf of the entire community to keep us safe.”

Ch Supt Kearney said officers would not be deterred from carrying out their duties.

“We know from the daily work of our officers that last night’s events have caused anger among the local community and the wider area,” she said.

“I want to reassure the public that my officers will be out today getting drugs off the streets, responding to domestic violence calls and protecting the public from those who seek to harm the most vulnerable.”

Police have asked anyone with information to come forward.