A SENIOR PSNI officer has said police will hunt down those who attacked police with petrol bombs in Derry this afternoon.
Up to seven petrol bombs along with chunks of masonry were hurled at police during the Easter commemoration parade by dissident republican in the Creggan district.
One police land rover – which had a camera fitted on the roof to monitor the parade- was hit with a number of petrol bombs and was engulfed in flames.
Police say that there has been no reports of injuries and no arrests were made.
Around 200 people took part in the Easter Monday parade.
A colour party of up to a dozen men dressed in paramilitary attire led the parade in the Creggan for the 2 pm commemoration.
Tensions had been high ahead of today’s parade after police snatch squads moved in on a Republican Sinn Fein parade in Lurgan on Saturday.
Six men, including one from Derry, appeared in court today and were released on court bail.
Derry police boss Chief Inspector Ivor Morton said: “In relation to today’s event in Derry we attempted to engage with the organisers of the parade over a period of time in a bid to facilitate their event within the law.
“The organisers declined to enter into any discussions with Police on this matter.
“The organisers also stated in the run-up to today’s event they were informed by Police the parade would be stopped and would not be allowed to go ahead.
“This was patently untrue and can only be viewed as an attempt by those behind the parade as a bid to raise tensions in the area.
“It is, therefore, regrettable that in raising those tensions a small number of people saw fit to attack police officers with petrol bombs in what was clearly a pre-meditated attack.
“I want to be clear that for anyone who engaged in actions that were unlawful or detrimental to community safety, there will be consequences through the criminal justice system.
Police will review all video footage collected today and will robustly pursue all possible enquiries to identify those involved and bring them before the courts.
“I would appeal to anyone who has any information regarding this incident to contact police at Strand Road station on the 101-non emergency number. Information can also be passed to police through your local representatives, or to your local neighbourhood policing officer.
“Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”
