Anti-social behaviour.. and the community..

The reports of weekend violence in Londonderry focus on “the internet” rather than the two groups involved attacking the police when they intervened, but it wasn’t the only incident at the weekend. Again in Londonderry, a fire crew were attacked yesterday when they arrived to put out a car fire in the Galliagh area at around 4pm. [re-edited – see comments] Adds additional BBC report.

Station Commander Terry Morrison said they withdrew after it was apparent the blaze did not pose any danger to property or life: “We will take the option to let the fire burn out if a crew is in danger from a hostile crowd and the fire is not going to endanger any other property or persons,” said Mr Morrison. He added: “In this incident it was a derelict car on fire and there was no property close by so it was safe to let it burn out. We must safeguard our crews and vehicles. We need assistance from the local community to help bring an end to this type of thing.”

Meanwhile on Saturday, in the Drumbeg area of Lurgan, a crowd attacked police as they arrested two men with imitation handguns and stolen goods following an armed robbery in the area. Whatever happend to those community-based restorative justice groups, indeed.

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