Disturbances, Portadown
01 Dec 2009
Following the disturbances in Portadown over the weekend, Superintendent Barbara Gray said;
"The scenes of violence in Portadown over the weekend were disgraceful. Ten police officers were injured in vicious public disorder. They were out on the front line doing their duty protecting the community when they were attacked. We need to be very clear where the blame lies here. It lies with the people who organised this illegal gathering. It lies with the thugs who attacked police. We have a rigorous investigation in place. Two people have been arrested. We hope that more will be identified as part of the investigation.
"Police were aware that texts were circulating in the area. Police put an operation in place. Community officers were out on the ground and were backed up by specially trained public order police.
"Sadly some people chose to attack the police and cause trouble on the streets of their own town.
"The police will play their part in investigating what happened. People in positions of civic leadership also have a role to play in ensuring that tensions are defused and that there is no repeat of this type of behaviour. We will continue to work together wigth them and business leaders."
