Two police officers and a woman bystander have been injured in another night of disorder in Londonderry.
More than 25 petrol bombs were thrown during the sporadic disturbances in Derry’s Bogside area, with a car set on fire and a road blocked with burning wooden pallets.
Three people were arrested, with police warning that more arrests would follow.
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with disorderly behaviour, assault on police, resisting police and possessing offensive weapon in a public place.
Two men, aged 20 and 50, remained in police custody on Tuesday morning for questioning.
We are disappointed the disorder in The Bogside continued tonight. Tonight- 26 petrol bombs, a passerby and 2 officers injured, a car set on fire and the first three arrests (gonna be lots!!) It’s criminal and antisocial, it’s time it stoppedSgt Sam #psnicmc #keepingpeoplesafe
— PSNI (@PoliceServiceNI) July 10, 2018
The injured woman was struck on the head with a stone. The two officers were hit by bricks.
The area has witnessed trouble on three consecutive nights.
Over the weekend, youths from the nationalist Bogside launched attacks on the nearby unionist Fountain estate.
A number of older people living in the sheltered accommodation found themselves in the firing line amid a hail of petrol bombs and other missiles.
Earlier on Monday, around 100 residents from the Bogside held a rally to show support for Fountain residents.
They walked to the estate to demonstrate that the disorder was not in their name.
A car was torched in Fahan Street during the early hours and Leckey Road was closed for a period of time after pallets were placed across it and set on fire.
PSNI Chief Inspector Alan Hutton said: “We are disappointed that some people decided to continue the public disorder in the Bogside last night, despite the clear message from the community earlier.
“This morning, following the disorder in the Bogside area of the city last night, we have two officers and a member of the public injured.
“I am very proud of how my colleagues stood in the face of danger, working to bring this situation under control but I am saddened and angry that again we find ourselves subject to serious violence from the communities we serve.
“Let me be clear, we have made three arrests last night and, with a robust criminal justice strategy in place, there will be more.
“The local community needs to see a resolution to this issue now. Collectively, we cannot afford to wait and we cannot have night after night of violence on our streets.
“Following three nights of disorder, we have a number of police officers who are no longer available to deliver their core policing duties, protecting the communities they serve.
“And the huge impact on our city cannot be ignored.
“As we strive to promote our positive image, the negative effect of these violent pictures on jobs, tourism and investment cannot be under-estimated. We do not want to take a backward step.
“I urge all those with influence to urgently use it to bring a resolution to the violence and work towards a longer term solution for the issues affecting this area.”
