Hijacked bus set on fire in Derry on Tuesday
The vehicle hijackings have been condemned by local politicians as the city prepared for the return of the remains of former SDLP leader John Hume.
Detective Inspector Michelle Boyd said: “The first incident, in which a van was hijacked, happened in the Rathlin Drive area of Creggan, just before 3.55 pm.
“This vehicle was subsequently found on fire a short distance away.
“At around 4.45 pm in a second hijacking a delivery driver was instructed to hand over the keys to his van in the Glenowen Park area.
“Thirty minutes later police received a report of a bus being hijacked at the top of Aileach Road in Ballymagroarty.
“Initially it was set alight, however the fire was extinguished.
“Minimal damage was caused to the bus and it has been taken away for forensic examination.
“I am appealing to anyone with information, or who may have captured dash cam footage of any of the incidents, to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 1196 of 04/08/20.”
“A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport
“Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood condemned the incidents on the same day that the body of John Hume was being returned to the city.
“People are trying to show their respect for a man who brought an end to conflict,” he said.
“The attacks on people and vehicles that have taken place across the city are a violation of Derry’s grief and those responsible have set themselves against our community.
“It needs to stop now and those responsible must be held accountable.”
Sinn Féin assembly member Martina Anderson said: “The hijacking and burning of postal and delivery vans by masked individuals across Derry on Monday and today is wrong and I absolutely condemn it.
“This serves no purpose other than destroying people’s livelihoods and causing major disruption to people living in the local community, particularly those waiting on parcels.
“It’s even more disgraceful that these attacks have taken place while the city mourns on the eve of the funeral of John Hume.”
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