SDLP Foyle MLA Pat Ramsey has met with Senior Officers from the PSNI G District team to discuss a range of operational issues, and to highlight the on-going threat of vigilante groups such as RAAD in the City.

Mr Ramsey said: “I met yesterday afternoon with senior officers locally to discuss a range of issues and obviously the despicable actions of RAAD took precedence at the meeting. During the course of the meeting, I raised the police response to the activities of vigilante groups in the city recently and their deterrent going forward, especially in light of this weeks violence against two young people in Derry.

He also brought up the alcohol and licensing problems and received a briefing on progressing operations to combat underage and on-street drinking.

He concluded: "Crucially, amongst the numerous constituency issues and cases brought to the attention of the Police, I did raise the prevalent issue of the search teams operating in Derry with increasing frequency. I told the officers that the over arching principle which needs to be espoused when a search is carried out in this constituency is respect, and I have been assured that will be brought to the attention of all relevant units within the PSNI."

(CD/GK)