Foyle MP Colum Eastwood condemns Waterside disorder
There is significant concern in Derry after disorder in the Waterside area on Monday night, it has been claimed.
A number of masked people with weapons gathered near the playing fields at Knockwellan Park. Petrol bombs were thrown at police and a number of bins were set to fire blocking the road, at the junction of Trench Road and Strabane Old Road.
Police said they believe the disorder was “orchestrated”.
Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said the sight of masked individuals armed with weapons was “extremely sinister” and caused “real concern” in the local area.
“Nobody wants to see scenes like this on our streets and it’s extremely fortunate that nobody was seriously hurt as a result of this disorder,” the former SDLP leader said. “I’m extremely concerned at reports that large numbers of young people were involved and that police believe the disorder may have been orchestrated in an interface area.
“Any young person getting involved in this type of activity is putting their own future at risk, and the adults involved need to take a long hard look at themselves for putting young people and the wider community in danger.
“I condemn the attacks on police and the blocking of roads during this incident, and I welcome the police and community response that helped prevent the situation from escalating further. Anyone with information should come forward to police.”