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Belfast Telegraph Home > News

Warning on riots
Trouble being pre-arranged by e-mails and texts, says PSNI

By Paddy McGuffin
newsdesk@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

24 September 2005

SECTARIAN gangs of teenagers may be using e-mails and text messages to mobiles to arrange a riot in Londonderry's city centre today, police have warned.

For the past two Saturdays, mobs of up to 300 youths have caused havoc in the city centre - and the PSNI now say the trouble is being pre-arranged by e-mails and text messages to mobile phones.

Secondary schools in the city were asked to make announcements yesterday at assemblies asking for young people to steer clear of the troubled areas.

Last Saturday, mobs that included a large number of girls, were involved in sectarian violence which forced many businesses in the Foyle Street/Market Street areas to pull down their shutters.

Four arrests were made as a result of last weekend's disturbances, the youngest being 13 years old and the oldest 16, according to the PSNI.

In a bid to prevent further incidents, which local business leaders warn could deter tourists and shoppers from the city centre, police have warned that they will adopt a "robust" approach today.

Inspector Milton Kerr said: "We are concerned that some children and young people have been using e-mails and text messages to arrange fights and orchestrate violence. This is a concern shared by city centre traders and local people.

"On Thursday we telephoned school principals and asked them to put out the message at their assemblies that the violence will not be tolerated."

He added that officers would operate high visibility patrols.

He continued: "The vast majority of children and young people come to the city centre to enjoy themselves and we are not opposed to them coming with their parents, friends or even by themselves.

"Our attention will be focused on the small minority who have been involved in causing damage and injury in incidents that only serve to spoil the good name of the city."

His fears echoed those expressed by Richard Sterling, president of Derry's Chamber of Commerce.

"Our economy depends on continued growth and the retailers in the city centre need stability in order to operate effectively," said Mr Sterling.

"We cannot afford to let the actions of a few spoil the economic future for many."

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