PFNI applauds officers for recovering lethal terrorist arsenal in Derry/Londonderry

Sixteen officers were injured, four of them requiring hospital treatment,during rioting linked to searches conducted in the Creggan area of Derry/Londonderry last night.

PFNI Chair, Liam Kelly, said: “Our officers involved in these searches and disorder displayed great courage and resilience and deserve great credit and the thanks of this entire community.

“They recovered a lethal terrorist arsenal, the contents of which would have been used against colleagues going about their lawful duties. To be subjected to appalling attacks as searches continued is deplorable and must be condemned.

“Of all the items uncovered, it is the discovery of plasticexplosives that is particularly the most worrying development.

“Our officers did a thoroughly professional job. They undertook these searches to protect the immediate community and wider society and should be congratulated by all political parties and community groups.

“I want to wish our injured officers well as they recover from their injuries. They did sterling work and showed great courage and resilience. As part of any review and health and safety investigation into the policing operation we will be seeking to assess the police planning and tactics and establish if their injuries could have been averted. We should all remember that policing can be a dangerous occupation, but our men and women are always ready to do all they can to uphold the law and they deserve unqualified support in doing so.”