Police treating attack on homes as sectarian

The police are treating an attack on homes in Londonderry city centre as "sectarian-motivated".

They said a large group of young people had gathered in the Bishop Street area, opposite Nailors Row, and had thrown stones and bottles at a number of houses.

The homes targeted on Thursday evening, according to Sinn Féin councillor Patricia Logue, were in the mainly-loyalist Fountain estate and described the incident as a "blatantly sectarian attack".

One man was arrested for public order offences and released on bail pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

Police said they attended the scene of the disturbances and spoke with those present in an effort to calm tensions.

They have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Sinn Féin councillor Patricia Logue condemned the incident and appealed for anyone with information to give it to the police.

"I condemn this blatantly sectarian attack, which saw stone-throwers target homes in the Fountain estate," she said.

"There can be no place for sectarianism in our society.

"The people of this city want and are entitled to an inclusive, better future for themselves and their children, and reject this sectarian and anti-community behaviour outright."