Dickson condemns attack on police

Mr Dickson was speaking after the crowd in Lurgan assaulted the police with projectiles including petrol bombs and paint around 9.30pm yesterday (Friday). It followed the closure of a local railway track due to a hoax device being placed on the line.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested and charged with disorderly behaviour and criminal damage.

Mr Dickson said the belief was it had been a deliberate attempt to attract police there in order to be attacked.

“This was an appalling attack that achieved nothing except putting police officers, who are trying to protect the local community, in danger and diverting vital resources from other areas that might need them.

“There is no justification for this attack. Any act of violence against police is an assault on the rule of law and everyone in the community.

“I would urge anyone with information to contact police so these types of incidents can be once and for all consigned to the past.”