Youths throw petrol bombs at police amid unrest in Derry - Londonderry

Q Radio news

More trouble has broken out on the streets of Derry - Londonderry as tensions mount in the Bogside area.

Barricades were erected and burned as petrol and paint bombs were thrown at police on the city walls.

It's the third night of disturbances in the city after a controversial policing operation in the city on Saturday. 

Officers stepped in at the annual Apprentice Boy's march after a band from Larne wore a uniform bearing the symbol of the British Army's parachute regiment with the letter 'F'.

It's a reference to a Soldier who has been charged with murder and attempted murder over the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in 1972. 

The former paratrooper, known only as 'Soldier F' is due in court later this year. 

Nationalists say the move was 'provocative' however Unionists say the band was showing support for the armed forces. 

A total of 24 petrol bombs and 6 paint bombs were thrown on Monday night as youths also launched missiles including bricks and bottles.

Between 30 and 40 people were involved in the disorder which lasted from early evening into the night.

The PSNI also say a laser pen was shone at their helicopter, endangering both the crew and local residents.

Superintendent Gordon McCalmont said: “This is the third night that the people of this city have had to put up with unwanted disorder and destruction. No one wants to see these despicable scenes on our streets.

"Some of the those involved in last night’s trouble were extremely young teenagers and I have no doubt that this disorder is being orchestrated by much older people and that these youths are being used to attack police and significant symbolic sites around our City Walls.

"I would urge those young people to pull back from this behaviour and I would also ask those with influence within our community to use that influence positively and help dissuade young people from participating in public disorder.

"It must be made clear to them that they are risking their safety and that of others, as well as running the risk of a criminal conviction which could have a long lasting impact on their future prospects."

The PSNI say 'a significant amount of evidence' has been gathered over recent days and that they're confident arrests will follow.