Long-term Parades Solutions must be found says Senior Officer
12 Jul 2010
A Senior Police Officer has said that long-term solutions must be found to ease tensions and reduce violence around the parading season.
Assistant Chief Constable Alistair Finlay said that whilst right across Northern Ireland the vast majority of parades passed off peacefully - the violence that has taken place in North and West Belfast is totally unacceptable.
ACC Finlay said: "The past 24 hours has been a very challenging time for policing in Northern Ireland.
"Tonight my officers, who were out risking their lives to protect the community, came under sustained attack in the Ardoyne area from bricks, bottles and petrol bombs. There was also a blast bomb thrown.
“Due to the level of violence officers faced from a crowd, a number of AEPs were fired, and the water cannons were deployed as part of a proportionate policing strategy. A number of officers have been injured during the serious disorder.
"On Sunday night 27 officers were injured, three of whom sustained gunshot injuries.
"This follows a roadside explosion in Co Armagh on Saturday night which was aimed at killing or maiming police officers in the area.
“My officers have acted with great professionalism to keep communities safe under very difficult circumstances.
"I would also like to commend the dedication and bravery of many community representatives who worked tirelessly to contain the disorder and calm tensions.”
ACC Finlay stressed that whilst it had been a challenging time for his officers, the real challenge for everyone now is to find long term achievable solutions to these few sensitive areas that remain.
“This is the only way we can move away from the disorder, tensions and fear that grips Northern Ireland every year.
"We need to see real joined-up strategic political leadership, backed up by everyone in communities making their peaceful voices heard. Northern Ireland cannot afford to have violent images beamed across the world every summer - images which are totally unrepresentative of the vast majority of people who have embraced a peaceful and vibrant future.
"I would ask everyone to continue to work with Police, politicians, communities and local representatives to restore calm this evening and over the coming days.
"Police will carry out a rigorous investigation in relation to all the recent incidents, which will include the examination of CCTV footage, and will work towards bringing all those found breaking the law to justice," he said.
ACC Finlay added: "We look forward to the day when major policing operations couldbe scaled back further and valuable resources directed at tackling crime and addressing community concerns.
“Disorder and violence not only damage peoples’ lives – they also strip valuable resources from communities. The cost of picking up the pieces and restoring local areas means less money for vital services like schools, hospitals and policing.”
