Derry police commander Chief Supt Gillian Kearney
The disorder unfolded following the discovery of a suspicious device in the Creggan area, which later turned out to be an elaborate hoax.
Police had been in the area yesterday afternoon dealing with a sudden death in Magowan Park.
As officers were conducting enquiries in relation to this, they discovered the suspicious device.
A public safety operation was implemented with cordons put in place, however, up until around midnight, there was disorder with paint and petrol bombs, heavy masonry and fireworks being thrown at police. Some of those involved were children.
Those involved in the disorder dispersed around midnight.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood condemned the attack on police.
“It’s particularly disheartening to hear reports that children may have been involved, risking their own futures for thoughtless attacks on police Land Rovers,” said the Foyle MP.
Appealing for calm, the Foyle MP said the “people of Derry do not want this”.
“And none of us want to see children throwing opportunities away by getting involved in this,” he said.
Bishop of Derry the Right Reverend Donal McKeown said the disorder had further compounded a family’s grief.
“It is shameful because someone has died, that person has friends and relatives, the last thing they want outside their house is someone causing trouble,” Bishop McKeown told BBC News NI.
“They want to be treated with sympathy, they want the death to be treated with respect.
“They want the place to be kept calm so the death can be dealt with and they can be allowed to grieve in peace and quiet.
“Trouble like this simply adds to their difficulties and their pain.”
Bishop McKeown said reports of young children being involved were “worrying” and asked “parents, families and communities to ensure our young people are looked after”.
Derry City & Strabane Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney said: “The disorder that developed was utterly senseless. That disorder occurred as officers were dealing with such a sensitive incident is shameful.
“It also serves to damage local communities and divert our resources away from dealing with the things that matter most.
“There are reports of children as young as six and seven years old being involved. This is child criminal exploitation.
“We know from the work our officers do on a daily basis, what happened last night will have provoked anger in the local community and wider area.”
While damage was caused to police vehicles, no injuries to police officers have been reported at this time.
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