Shots fired at town police patrol

A number of cars have been burnt out during trouble in Craigavon

A number of shots have been fired at a PSNI patrol in Craigavon.

Police said four to five shots were heard after the patrol saw a man in a crouching position aiming at them with a "long-barrelled weapon".

No-one was injured in the attack in the Brownlow Road area, which happened shortly before 2000 BST.

Earlier, at least one blast bomb, as well as bottles, stones and petrol bombs were thrown at police in the town investigating a security alert.

Police Deputy District Commander Superintendent Alan McCrum said the gun attack was "a deliberate attempt to murder officers".

"This takes today's events to another level," he said.

"However, police will continue in their efforts to bring calm to the area despite these attacks on them."

This is not a game, this is not fun, what we've seen tonight is actually attempted murder John O'Dowd, Sinn Fein

The earlier trouble took place in the Tullygally and Drumbeg areas.

No-one was injured, but a number of vehicles were burnt out and several police vehicles damaged.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of hijacking. The alert followed a telephoned bomb warning on Monday. Nothing was found.

Motorists have been warned to avoid the area.

Local politicians have condemned the violence.

Sinn Fein assembly member John O'Dowd said: "I would appeal to everyone involved in the trouble to stop it now before someone is either injured or killed.

"This is not a game, this is not fun, what we've seen tonight is actually attempted murder. Please stop it now before someone is killed."

The trouble took place in the Tullygally and Drumbeg areas

SDLP assembly member Dolores Kelly said: "This morning blast bombs were used to attack the PSNI and it is clear that both these incidents are part of an orchestrated and pre-planned campaign to injure or murder a police officer.

"This is not spontaneous violence. It is not recreational rioting. It is part of an organised and violent strategy."

Ms Kelly said her car was attacked by youths earlier in the evening when she was visiting a local graveyard.