Ulster Unionist MLA and Policing Board Member Ross Hussey, has urged the community to stand with the Police as the scale of the terror threat posed by republicans in the North West was outlined by a senior Police officer in the area and classed as ‘severe.’
Mr Hussey said:
“Everyone is aware that there have been a spate of republican attacks in the North West region but to hear Superintendent Mark McEwan say that since September 2014 there have been 15 bomb incidents in the Derry City & Strabane council area and 15 shootings, really brings it home.
“In many cases the Police have been the targets of these attacks which are nothing less than the work of cowards. There is no such thing as an acceptable level of violence and we must never come to view these incidents as normal. The courage shown by our Police officers is in stark contrast to the cowardice of those who carry out attacks under cover of darkness.
“As I have said before, the people of Londonderry, Strabane and the surrounding areas face very real problems in terms of jobs, housing, healthcare and anti-social behaviour. The people who are planting explosive devices or carrying out gun attacks are doing nothing to help address these issues and are merely making life a misery for local people.
“I appeal to the community to make a choice, to stand with the Police and the forces of law and order, and to give them every support to halt the work of these criminal gangs who have nothing to offer anyone in our society.”