Northern Ireland police have been attacked in loyalist disturbances, involving children as young as 12.
Officers came under attack and were pelted with petrol bombs in a night of violence in predominantly unionist estates in Londonderry on Sunday night.
The PSNI condemned “another night of senseless and reckless criminal behaviour” that began in the Waterside area of Derry at around 9pm.
Chief Superintendent Darrin Jones said: “Again we saw our officers targeted, pelted with petrol bombs and masonry in the Dungiven Road area, where pallets were placed on the road and set alight.
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“This saw the main road closed for a time, causing disruption for local drivers.
“Thankfully, last night none of our officers were injured as they worked to bring the disorder to an end.
“I will reiterate our disappointment that we had another night of senseless and reckless criminal behaviour that achieves nothing but cause damage to the community.
“It is also shocking that some of those involved in last night’s disorder were children, some as young as 12 years old, along with others up to 18 years old and a mix of male and females.
Chief Superintendent Darrin Jones (Rebecca Black/PA)
“It is totally unacceptable, and it is crucial we send out a message to those responsible that such behaviour cannot be tolerated.
“People deserve to feel safe within their own homes and be able to walk the streets without fear.”
Petrol bombs and bricks were also thrown at officers in loyalist areas in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus on Sunday night.
It was the second night in a row that trouble broke out at Cloughfern roundabout in Newtownabbey on the outskirts of Belfast, although the violence was not as prolonged as on Saturday night.
There was also disorder in the North Road area of nearby Carrickfergus on Sunday night.
On Saturday, 30 petrol bombs were thrown at officers in Newtownabbey in what police described as an “orchestrated attack”.
A burning car in Newtownabbey on Saturday night (Peter Morrison/PA)
On Friday, there were violent scenes in the Sandy Row area of Belfast as well.
Police have been subjected to sustained attacks across several nights in the last week in loyalist areas of Waterside, Derry.
Some 27 police officers were injured on Friday night across Belfast and Derry.
Tensions have soared within the loyalist community in recent months over post-Brexit trading arrangements which are claimed to have created barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
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Anger increased last week following a controversial decision not to prosecute 24 Sinn Fein politicians for attending a large-scale republican funeral during Covid-19 restrictions.
All the main unionist parties have demanded the resignation of PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne, claiming he has lost the confidence of their community.
Meanwhile in Co Antrim, a recent series of drug seizures targeting the South East Antrim UDA – a renegade faction of the main grouping – have caused particular ill-feeling towards police.
The faction is believed to have been behind some of the weekend disturbances.
Earlier on Sunday, the PSNI’s North Area Commander Chief Superintendent Davy Beck said 30 petrol bombs were thrown at officers and three cars were set alight in Newtownabbey on Saturday.
The Cloughfern roundabout in Newtownabbey on Saturday (Peter Morrison/PA)
Mr Beck said it was an “orchestrated attack on police”.
“We are living in unprecedented times, dealing with a global pandemic – no-one needs the added pressure of disorder in their community,” he said.
“I would appeal to those who are taking to the streets to stop immediately, their actions are causing nothing but harm and distress to the very communities they claim they are representing.”
On Sunday evening the PSNI announced that a 47-year-old man had been charged in connection with rioting and throwing a petrol bomb in Newtownabbey on Saturday.
He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Monday April 26.
Seven people had already been charged after the disturbances in the Sandy Row area, with three men aged 25, 21 and 18 and a 19-year-old woman charged with riot.
All four are due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on April 30.
Three teenagers, aged 17, 14 and 13, have been charged with riot and are due to appear at Belfast Youth Court on April 30.
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