Fireworks, bricks, and stones thrown at police on Halloween night in Magherafelt

by Chloe St John

Bricks, stones, eggs, and fireworks are just some of the items thrown at police in Rockview Estate in Magherafelt on Halloween night.

Houses and cars in the area were also attacked in an attempt to lure police officers to the area, said a PSNI spokesperson.

We're told a small group of adults encouraged children as young as 7 to join in on the attack.

Rockets were also fired at a petrol station in the area, meaning it had to close early.

A PSNI spokesperson said:

"Halloween saw the predictable attacks on houses and cars with the sole aim of trying to lure Police in for attack.

Officers on foot in the estate were attacked with a barrage of bricks, stones, eggs and fireworks. 

Parents what are you doing to control your kids? Large numbers of kids and teenagers setting off fireworks at random is a recipe for serious injury or worse.

When an officer is out on patrol their own safety and that of his/her colleague is the number one priority above everything else. So when someone steps out of an alleyway, dressed in black with head and face covered and takes aim at Police who are attending a call - as happened a number of times - split second decisions will be made based on the perceived threat to the officers. It really doesn’t take a genius to work out how that has the potential to pan out.

If a large crowd descends on officers as also happened on Wednesday night, we will protect ourselves and each other. So when the crowd or individuals are told to stay back it isn’t a conversation opener. If you continue to come at us after being told to stay back you will encounter a baton or CS Spray.

Batons don’t tickle and CS is beyond unpleasant - oh and lose the perception that someone under 18 is untouchable.

During the evening older folks on foot trying to get to the shop were targeted by rockets fired horizontally, fireworks also aimed at cars and the shop/petrol station had to shut early. Firing rockets into a petrol station forecourt is a whole new level of stupid.

We know it was a small collection of individuals as well as outsiders who came in with the intent of causing trouble, although it was pathetic seeing a small number of adults goading kids as young as 7 & 8 into attacking Police.

The messages of support we’ve received from residents is very encouraging and well done to the parents who got their kids offside and away from trouble."