Disturbances follow Derry petrol bombing

Residents on both sides of 'peaceline' suffer nightly attacks

The police were called to deal with disturbances in Londonderry after eight petrol bombs were thrown at houses.

One house in the Protestant Fountain estate suffered scorch damage when it was struck by two of the petrol bombs at about 2200 BST on Thursday.

The fire was put out by the police.

The police said one person was later arrested for assaulting a police officer.

They said two officers sustained injuries - one to his chin, and one to his head.

Disturbances

Residents living on the fountain estate have said there are nightly sectarian attacks in the interface between Catholic and Protestant communities.

Resident Jeanette Warke: "The police came in very heavy handed"

However, some said they felt the police had reacted in a heavy handed manner to the trouble on Thursday night.

The woman whose house was set alight in the Fountain estate by petrol bombers said: "I was called to come home and the whole back of the house was on fire.

"The police landrover pulled into the street and they came out with batons out and boiler suits from both ends of the street and arrested somebody.

Woman 'knocked out'

"It was unbelievable. There was one lady knocked out lying on the ground and the wee ones were squealing.

"I won't be phoning them any more. I think we are going to have to go back to the old days when we were out patrolling our own streets, looking after our own areas."

Her neighbour said: "I don't understand why the police were so heavy-handed after the petrol-bombing.

"They were running about with their truncheons. They knocked my wife down unconscious and then just walked over the top of her. She had to go to hospital."

Another woman said: "I used to hear nationalists saying the police could be heavy handed and I though anyone could tell a story. But last night I saw they were right."

Violence concerns

RUC Inspector Milton Kerr said it was the latest in a series of violent incidents in the area.

He said: "The police are very concerned about what is happening nightly in the Bishops Street and the Fountain areas.

"The police intend to do everything possible in partnership with the local community to eradicate this."

He added: "Those on both sides are a minority and are severely affecting the quality of life for the law-abiding majority.

"My view is that it is only a matter of time because someone is seriously hurt or worse."

The police ombudsman has confirmed that a complaint has been received in relation to police conduct.