Fourteen officers injured in 'sectarian' disorder

A police Land Rover in flames during last night's rioting

Fourteen police officers have been injured and 11 people arrested after what the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Jon Boutcher condemned as "blatant sectarian violence" in Londonderry.

Petrol bombs, fireworks, heavy masonry, planks of wood, and bricks were thrown at officers in the Nailors Row area near the city walls on Tuesday night.

Police said eight teenage boys, aged between 14 and 17, and three men aged 29, 30 and 47, were detained and remain in custody on Wednesday.

A suspected rioter was hit by a baton round fired by an officer, police said.

Jon Boutcher says those who attacked officers will be pursued with the full force of the law

The teenagers and two of the men were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour.

The 47-year-old was arrested on suspicion of intentionally encouraging or assisting a riot.

On Monday night, three police officers were also injured when trouble flared in the same area of the city.

Riot police enter the Bogside as darkness falls on Tuesday night

'Criminal behaviour'

"This was blatant sectarian violence, plain and simple, and there is absolutely no justification for it in our society," Jon Boucher said.

"These behaviours are criminal plain and simple, we will not accept them and will pursue those responsible with the full force of the law."

He said his "courageous and dedicated officers" had once again put themselves in harm's way to protect the local community.

"I want to pay the highest tribute to every single one of them.

"There will be consequences to those involved – we will not stand by and allow people to attack our society."

Justice Minister Naomi Long has condemned the violence in Derry

Justice Minister Naomi Long described the scenes in Derry as "disturbing".

She said violence had "absolutely no place in our society" and there was "no justification for it".

"Rioting is never 'recreational': it is serious criminality which places lives at risk and destroys communities," Long added.

The minister said those behind the disorder would be pursued by the police and brought to justice in court.

"I send my best wishes to those injured officers, and I wish them a speedy recovery," she added.

"No one deserves to be attacked for the job they do."

Catherine Coyle spoke out after youths rioted for two nights running near the home where she lives

Meanwhile, an elderly woman living in sheltered accommodation near the flashpoint has said it has been "horrendous" for her and vulnerable, fellow residents.

Catherine Coyle, 82, said the ongoing violence was having a real impact on vulnerable, elderly people who in Alexander House.

"There are people who are very ill living down there - they are vulnerable.

"If anything came through their windows, they wouldn't be able to get out quickly.

"I was sitting in my flat when I heard all the screaming and shouting, and I thought, here we go again.

"We just want to live in peace and quiet and go about our wee days."

'Very upsetting for everybody'

Ms Coyle said the rioters should visit the sheltered accommodation to see the people they are upsetting.

"Some of these people have serious health problems — they wouldn't stand a chance if a petrol bomb came through a window," she said.

"Let people live their lives in peace."

Riot police, some with dogs, face off against nationalist youths on ground between the city walls and the Bogside

The SDLP MP for Foyle Colum Eastwood appealed to those involved to stop immediately, saying young people were "putting themselves and others in danger".

He said the scenes on both nights were deeply concerning, and appealed for the parents of the young people involved "to get in touch with your kids, make sure they're home and safe".

"It's the last thing that anyone in the city wants or needs, and it needs to stop before someone is seriously hurt or worse," Eastwood said.

"Elderly people living in Alexander House [sheltered accommodation] absolutely don't want or deserve this."

He appealed to young people to think about the consequences of their actions, saying: "This will haunt them for the rest of their lives if they end up with a criminal conviction."

Dozens of youths gathered near the city walls on Tuesday evening

'Anger and disappointment'

The DUP MLA Gary Middleton believes the violence is being organised through social media and is designed to inflame tensions.

"This began after a group of youths attempted to target properties in the Fountain estate," he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme on Wednesday.

"Officers then came under sustained attack, resulting in three officers being injured.

"What we saw last night [Tuesday] was a clear escalation in that violence, with petrol bombs and other masonry thrown towards the police.

"What we don't want to see is an escalation of this in the coming days and weeks."

He said there was a lot of concern in the nearby mainly-loyalist Fountain estate.

"People don't want to live in fear; they want to live in peace with their neighbours.

"Those young people involved aren't reflective of the wider city.

"That being said, what we have seen over the last few nights can't be ignored and must be addressed."

Riot police cordon off part of Bishop Street during the trouble

Community worker Brian Dougherty said the disorder near the Fountain estate had increased tensions, but that good work was happening on the ground.

He said community leaders had been in touch with other community workers in an effort to "counteract any potential bother".

Mark H Durkan has appealed for calm and called for the disorder to end

The SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan told BBC Radio Foyle that the scenes on Monday and Tuesday were "completely depressing and frustrating".

He appealed to parents to ensure their children were not involved and also called for calm.

"I have no doubt social media has an awful lot to answer for in this," Durkan said.

"There is no justification or excuse for this kind of activity."

He said there have been "bubbling tensions" in the city over the past number of weeks and said education was important to deter young people from getting involved in the disorder.

"This is not a game and people really need to wise up."

Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy says the violence is causing distress to local residents

Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy condemned the violence.

"I am appealing for calm and for those involved to stop causing havoc in our community and distress to local residents," he said.

"They will not distract from the progress being made by the vast majority of people in Derry who are working hard to transform our city and build a better future."

On Monday night, fireworks and masonry were thrown at officers in the same area of the city, injuring three officers