New figures released by police show physical assaults in Derry city centre have topped.
The figures were released by the PSNI to BBC Radio Foyle following the submission of a Freedom of Information request.
They reveal an increase of more than 60% in physical assaults reported to the police over a five-year period.
The number of reported physical assaults has increased from 360 in 2018/19 to 583 in 2022/23.
There were a lot less assaults reported during Covid-19 lockdowns pandemic in 2020/2021, but the number rose sharply sharply in subsequent years.
Police Derry City and Strabane’s Chief Inspector Yvonne Manus said the city centre neighbourhood policing team will be out on a more regular basis during the summer, including conducting high-visibility patrols in the area.
“We have received reports of anti-social behaviour in the city centre, which includes the Waterloo Place area, and we are working hard with our partners to address these issues,” Chief Inspector McManus told Radio Foyle.
“We want the city centre to be a space where people feel safe and can enjoy. This includes people who live and work here and people who visit here.
“We encourage anyone who witnesses anti-social or criminal behaviour to report it to us at the earliest opportunity so we can respond as soon as possible.”
