Police in Derry City & Strabane responded to 234 calls for service between Friday, 2nd February and Monday, 5th February. Calls which officers responded to included concern for safety reports, domestic assaults, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.
Chief Inspector Siobhan Watt said: “While attending to some of these calls, two officers were assaulted and a police vehicle sustained damage. This is completely unacceptable.”
When officers were dealing with a call for service in Creggan on Sunday evening, 4th February, their vehicle was damaged after masonry was thrown at it.
Chief Inspector Watt said: "The damaged vehicle is out of service so it can be examined for road worthiness, which affects our service delivery. ”
On Monday night, 5th February officers responded to reports of anti-social behaviour in the Queens Quay area of the city. When police arrived at the scene and were dealing with the incident, two officers were assaulted. A male was arrested for assault on police and he remains in custody at this time. Thankfully, both officers were fit to remain on duty.
Chief Inspector Watt added: “These are some examples to highlight the risks our officers face every day. Our officers are here to help, and respond to calls assisting people. Assaults on police are unacceptable, and must not be tolerated as simply being ‘part of the job’. Our ask is that officers and the work they do should not be taken for granted.”