PSNI vehicles damaged as youths attack police in Derry

Officers came under attack in the Creevagh Heights area, with stones, bottles and fireworks thrown, damaging two police vehicles

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published24 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Two police vehicles were damaged during disorder in Derry on Wednesday evening after a group of youths attacked officers in the Creevagh Heights area. Items including stones, bottles, paint and fireworks were thrown at police, who were conducting an ongoing policing operation. The Creevagh Road was closed as officers dealt with the incident.

Police in Derry have condemned what they described as "completely unacceptable behaviour" after a number of youths attacked officers in the Creevagh Heights area on Wednesday evening.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Superintendent Claire Hamilton said officers who were present as part of an ongoing policing operation came under attack from a group of youths who had gathered earlier and began making threats of violence towards police.

"Some of the youths were wearing masks, some were also armed with weapons, while some had tins of paint and fireworks," she said. "They subsequently proceeded to throw items, including stones and bottles, at officers, causing damage to two police vehicles."

Hamilton described the violence as "completely unacceptable behaviour – attacking officers while they're performing duties to protect the public – and we know it is not welcomed by the wider community."

A public safety operation remains in place, and police are engaging with local community representatives to appeal for calm.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The attack on police highlights ongoing tensions in parts of Derry and risks undermining community-police relations.
Public safety operations may be disrupted if officers are targeted, affecting local residents who rely on policing.
The use of weapons, masks and fireworks suggests organised elements, raising concerns about further disorder.

Background

Derry (Londonderry) in Northern Ireland has experienced periodic outbreaks of youth disorder, often linked to dissident republican activity or local grievances. The PSNI maintains a regular policing presence in the Creevagh Heights area as part of broader community safety efforts. Such incidents place strain on resources and can erode public confidence.

What to Watch

Whether the PSNI makes arrests or identifies those involved in the attack.
Community leaders' response and any calls for calm or de-escalation.
If further disturbances occur in the area or spread to other parts of the city.

Sources

PSNI attacked by youths during disorder in Derry · RTÉ News

Checked

11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe headline says PSNI vehicles were damaged during disorder in Derry and youths attacked police.RTÉ News: “PSNI attacked by youths during disorder in Derry. Two police vehicles have been damaged during disorder in Derry.”
Partly supportedThe summary says stones, bottles and fireworks were thrown, damaging two police vehicles.RTÉ News: “Items including stones and bottles were thrown at officers causing damage to two police vehicles.”
Not in the sourcesThe incident happened on Wednesday evening.RTÉ News: “Officers who were present in Creevagh Heights today, as part of an ongoing policing operation, have come under attack this evening”
SupportedYouths attacked officers in the Creevagh Heights area, damaging two police vehicles.RTÉ News: “A police spokesperson said officers in the Creevagh Heights area of the city "came under attack" from a number of youths. Items including stones and bottles were thrown at officers causing damage to two police vehicles.”
Partly supportedPaint and fireworks were thrown at police.RTÉ News: “Some of the youths were wearing masks, some were also armed with weapons, while some had tins of paint and fireworks. They subsequently proceeded to throw items, including stones and bottles, at officers”
Partly supportedThe Creevagh Road was closed while officers dealt with the incident.RTÉ News: “The Creevagh Road, country-bound, was closed during the scenes.”
SupportedOfficers were present as part of an ongoing policing operation.RTÉ News: “Officers who were present in Creevagh Heights today, as part of an ongoing policing operation”
SupportedHamilton said some youths wore masks, some were armed with weapons, and some had tins of paint and fireworks.RTÉ News: “Some of the youths were wearing masks, some were also armed with weapons, while some had tins of paint and fireworks”
SupportedHamilton said youths threw items including stones and bottles at officers, damaging two police vehicles.RTÉ News: “They subsequently proceeded to throw items, including stones and bottles, at officers, causing damage to two police vehicles.”
SupportedHamilton called the violence “completely unacceptable behaviour” and said it was not welcomed by the wider community.RTÉ News: “This is completely unacceptable behaviour – attacking officers while they're performing duties to protect the public – and we know it is not welcomed by the wider community.”
SupportedA public safety operation remained in place, and police were engaging with local community representatives and appealing for calm.RTÉ News: “Ms Hamilton said a public safety operation remained in place. "Our officers are also engaging with local community reps this evening and we would reiterate our appeal for calm."”