Rioters attack police in Lurgan
PSNI officers attending the scene of a hoax security alert in Lurgan came under “sustained and heavy attack” after being lured into the area, police say.
They were investigating reports that a number of suspicious devices had been left in the Lake Street and Antrim Road area of the Co Armagh town when they came under attack on Saturday afternoon.
Chief Inspector Ken Mawhinney said: “My officers came under a sustained and heavy attack with missiles, fireworks, a substantial number of petrol bombs and paint bombs thrown at them.
“It is our belief that the hoax was an effort to entice them into the area to attack the very service the community tells us they want.”
Police said the alert has been declared an elaborate hoax. Items have been removed for further examination.
Lake Street was closed at its junction with Kilmaine Street and Kilmore Road, while the Antrim Road was cordoned off at the train crossing during the violence, which lasted around four hours.
Police believe one rioter was struck in the lower leg, and six police vehicles were damaged.
Train services were also disrupted between Moira and Portadown, due to the amount of debris thrown on the line by rioters.
All cordons have now been lifted and residents evacuated during the alert have been allowed to return home.
“The area is now calm and I would thank the greater community of north Lurgan for their patience and understanding as we work to make this area safe for everyone”, Chief Insp Mawhinney added.
SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly said: “We must keep appealing to young people, and to the parents who should be exercising some degree of control over them, not to get taken in by those who stay away from the front line, not to take part in so-called recreational rioting. This disruption is hitting their neighbours, their own families and relatives. It can lead to nothing positive, it can serve no cause, it is just plain stupid as well as dangerous.”
A police spokeswoman has appealed to the local community for their help in bringing those responsible for the disturbance to justice.
