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Derry trouble: Bombs thrown at police in night of violence Derry trouble: Bombs thrown at police in night of violence
(35 minutes later)
Police have fired plastic baton rounds during one of the worst nights of violence in Londonderry for years.Police have fired plastic baton rounds during one of the worst nights of violence in Londonderry for years.
Seventy-four petrol bombs and two improvised explosive devices were thrown at officers on Thursday, police said. Seventy-four petrol bombs and two improvised explosive devices were thrown at officers on Thursday - the sixth consecutive night of violence.
They also said children as young as eight were involved and accused dissident republicans of being behind the attacks. The police said children as young as eight were involved and accused dissident republicans of being behind the attacks.
Three men were arrested, one of them for attempted murder.Three men were arrested, one of them for attempted murder.
The PSNI said the six nights of violence had seen two separate attempts to murder officers.
The attacks began early in the evening and continued into the early hours of Friday morning.The attacks began early in the evening and continued into the early hours of Friday morning.
Petrol bombs were thrown towards police Land Rovers and at officers on the ground.Petrol bombs were thrown towards police Land Rovers and at officers on the ground.
Makeshift barricades were built and set on fire on the Lecky Road flyover and on Fahan Street while police closed sections of the walls overlooking the Bogside.Makeshift barricades were built and set on fire on the Lecky Road flyover and on Fahan Street while police closed sections of the walls overlooking the Bogside.
Supt Gordon McCalmont said: "I am saddened, disheartened and frustrated that yet again police officers committed to keeping this local community safe have been attacked by a small number of people within it.Supt Gordon McCalmont said: "I am saddened, disheartened and frustrated that yet again police officers committed to keeping this local community safe have been attacked by a small number of people within it.
"It is nothing short of a miracle that officers were not injured.""It is nothing short of a miracle that officers were not injured."
He added: "While we have seen many young people involved in these attacks over the last number of nights, it is clear that this is being orchestrated by a more sinister, adult, violent dissident republican element.He added: "While we have seen many young people involved in these attacks over the last number of nights, it is clear that this is being orchestrated by a more sinister, adult, violent dissident republican element.
"This cannot continue. This must end now.""This cannot continue. This must end now."
Secretary of State Karen Bradley said the attacks were "completely unacceptable".
"My full support goes to the PSNI and others who are working so hard to end this intolerable violence by a small minority," she said.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the violence was only succeeding in "terrifying people in their own homes".SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the violence was only succeeding in "terrifying people in their own homes".
"These people who are supposedly republicans, who are supposedly trying to get a United Ireland are destroying their area," he said."These people who are supposedly republicans, who are supposedly trying to get a United Ireland are destroying their area," he said.
"Now, I don't know how many times we have to learn this lesson that this does not work."Now, I don't know how many times we have to learn this lesson that this does not work.
"It's not only morally reprehensible, it's strategically stupid.""It's not only morally reprehensible, it's strategically stupid."
Sinn Féin's Elisha McCallion said "sinister elements" were spurring on and controlling the violence.Sinn Féin's Elisha McCallion said "sinister elements" were spurring on and controlling the violence.
"People in the Bogside were afraid for their lives last night," she said."People in the Bogside were afraid for their lives last night," she said.
"This has gone beyond recreational rioting, this is disgraceful and those involved in it and indeed those behind the scenes stirring up this type of activity, need to catch themselves on.""This has gone beyond recreational rioting, this is disgraceful and those involved in it and indeed those behind the scenes stirring up this type of activity, need to catch themselves on."
In a tweet, DUP leader Arlene Foster said: "Really disturbing scenes last night in Londonderry. Someone will be killed if this continues."
A Twelfth of July parade passed off peacefully in Londonderry earlier on Thursday, although police in riot gear separated a group of nationalists from the return parade as it made its way through the Diamond in the city centre.A Twelfth of July parade passed off peacefully in Londonderry earlier on Thursday, although police in riot gear separated a group of nationalists from the return parade as it made its way through the Diamond in the city centre.
The PSNI has said there have been two separate attempts to murder officers during the violence in the past week.The PSNI has said there have been two separate attempts to murder officers during the violence in the past week.
On Tuesday, police said dissident republicans were responsible for automatic gunfire directed at officers.On Tuesday, police said dissident republicans were responsible for automatic gunfire directed at officers.
Then, on Thursday, the PSNI said two viable devices were thrown at officers on Derry's walls.Then, on Thursday, the PSNI said two viable devices were thrown at officers on Derry's walls.
PSNI Supt Gordon McCalmont described it as a "reckless act" that showed "a blatant disregard for life".PSNI Supt Gordon McCalmont described it as a "reckless act" that showed "a blatant disregard for life".