Mobile phone footage of clashes between youths and police during yesterday’s search were shared widely on social media.
Scores of police landrovers descended on the Magowan Park area as the PSNI’s Terrorist Investigation Unit carried out a search into what it said was an investigation into New IRA bomb making capabilities.
Local residents accused police of “instigating” unrest in the area over assaults on a number of women.
Social media posts showed footage of police activities during the search operation.
Local Sinn Féin politician Karen Mullan has said the party will raise concerns directly with the PSNI over its handling of the incident.
Said the Foyle MLA: “I am deeply concerned following reports of heavy-handed policing during an incident in Creggan yesterday.
“The PSNI have questions to answer over scenes which appeared on social media showing officers using heavy-handed tactics on women.
“This has become symptomatic of how the PSNI carry out policing operations in Creggan and a concern which we have continually raised.
“The public rightly expects the very highest policing standards and we will hold the police to account when their actions fail to meet those standards.
“We will be raising these concerns directly with the local leadership of the PSNI.”
During the search operation, youths attempted to hijack a BT van close to St Mary’s Church in Creggan, while police came under attack with stones and petrol bombs thrown close to Magowan Park.
A 12-year-old was taken to hospital suffering from burn injuries during the unrest. His injuries are not said to be life threatening.
Police accused “sinister elements” within dissident republican groups of “manipulating” young people to riot and try to disrupt the search operation.
SDLP Foyle Mark H Durkan said: “I have spoken to the police and will do so again around what happened and how it happened.
“I don’t think it’s in anyone’s interests, and certainly not the residents of Creggan, to have people rioting on the street.
“I have seen video footage of a number of incidents alleged to have occurred there and I will be speaking to police about those.”
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