Pensioners seek move after riot

Some residents have said they now want to leave the area

Some elderly residents of the Rosemount area of Londonderry have said they want to move out after weekend rioting.

Up to 150 youths gathered in the area on Friday night before fighting with each other and attacking the police.

Four teenagers were arrested but later released. Police believe the trouble was orchestrated through social networking websites.

Pensioners in the area said they were left intimidated and traumatised by the "terrifying" violence.

One resident, Lily O'Hagan, said: "We're stuck there and we're facing all that week in and week out and we can see them gathering there and it's terrifying.

"It really was terrifying on Friday night. It was awful"

Her friend Jean Hamill said: "As far as I know the pensioners now are all looking to get out of this area.

"It's a disgrace, because they've been born and reared there."

Police officers were attacked with bottles and bricks after they tried to break up rival gangs on Academy Road.

Police say it began as a row between two individuals, but escalated when their friends got involved.

Inspector Trevor McKeown said the internet had provided a new way for some people to create havoc.

"It's also very worrying for residents living in this area to have large numbers of people congregating in a small area."