Rioting erupts in Derry this week during police searches into dissident republican terror hides
Rioting erupted on Friday night after army bomb experts attended the scene on Stewarts Terrace near Rosemount.
Cordons were erected in the vicinity and residents were evacuated from their homes.
Footage shows large crowds pelting PSNI Land Rovers with petrol bombs and masonry.
Derry City and Strabane Superintendent William Calderwood said: “Shortly after 12.30pm this afternoon, Friday 8th September, officers from the Terrorism Investigation Unit conducted a search of a house in the area.
“During the search a number of items were located, resulting in a public safety operation being put in place, which involved a number of residents being evacuated from their homes.
“The items have now been seized and will be subject to rigorous forensic examination in the coming days and weeks.”
He added: “A large group of people gathered in the area from around 6pm and threw a number of items at officers, including petrol bombs and masonry.
“Thankfully, there have been no reports of any officers injured.
“Police have now left the area and residents who were evacuated from their homes have been allowed to return.”
Detonators for explosives found in Derry searches
A young hooded boy was photographed holding a glass bottle while his hooded friend leaned in with a lighter.
Children on bikes also gathered in a nearby street.
They were parked beside a car on the street which is lined with terraced houses.
Photographs from the scene also show the front door of a house has been damaged following searches.
Plastic explosives found in searches into Derry into New IRA
“When ATO turn up at a situation like this there’s obviously something for them to look at,” he said.
“In a situation like this there are very obvious concerns and residents are worried.
“It is always shocking when weapons or explosives are found in residential areas – how dangerous can you get?”
“It is wrong wherever they are stored, but keeping them in residential areas shows a total disregard for the safety of other people.”
Derry City and Strabane District Council has provided an update to residents on social media.
“Please note that the Brooks Park LC is only open as a respite centre for those affected by the security alert and closed for sports activities this evening,” it posted on Twitter (X).
“Brooke Park is also closed to the public.”
Mr Boyle expressed concern about the very young age of children being caught up in the disorder.
“They are putting their own lives and futures in danger and they are too young to understand that,” he said.
“They should go home.”
PSNI Superintendent Calderwood said the investigation remains ongoing and appealed to anyone who has any information that may assist detectives to call 101.
“Yet again, our officers had to deal with extremely challenging circumstances, coming under attack by large groups of people,” he added.
“This is reckless and criminal behaviour, and it has to stop. It is absolutely appalling and achieves nothing except harm to our community.
“We understand the impact our operational activity can cause the local community and want to assure them we seek to plan activity to maximise safety, minimise any disruption, and remain grateful for their continued support.”
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