Chief Inspector Alan Hutton say weekend violence diverting police resources away from burglaries, road policing and drug dealing
In the last 48 hours, the police’s call management centre at Maydown has taken 310 calls from the public on a range of issues.
Of the calls received, 33 were concenrs for safety, nine for domestic issues and 13 for assaults.
And during this 48 hour period, police patrols were sent to incidents of petrol bomb attacks over the weekend in the Bogside and the Fountain area.
On Sunday night, a petrol bomb was thrown at Alexander House which is accommodation for elderly and vulnerable people.
In the Bogside, youth pushed bins onto Lecky Road and set them on fire.
Said Chief Inspector said: “Too terrified to go to sleep”
“That is how one Fountain resident felt because of the reckless and criminal behaviour of those who threw stones, petrol bombs and other missiles over the weekend.
“And she wasn’t the only one.
“Local residents in Alexander House, the Bogside and The Fountain are paying the price because a small criminal minority are manipulating children and teenagers to create trouble in order to draw in police.
“While we will continue to take all necessary and proportionate actions to protect those residents and our officers, the extra demand placed on our resources does impact on the service we provide to the wider public.
Petrol bomb was thrown at Alexander House on Sunday night which provides support for elderly and vulnerable people
“Those priorities that matter to you the community take a back seat. And while it may only be temporary it does have an impact.
“The question needs to be asked of those who engineered, orchestrated and manipulated the violence we saw at the weekend – what do you want for your community?” he added.
CI Hutton
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