A Derry resident has said that he was concerned by police flyers asking for information ‘following reports of suspicious terrorist related activity by violent dissident republicans in your area’.
The man, who did not wish to be named, said that the leaflets had been distributed by police targeting the Ballymagowan area. They were given out to local residents following a number of recent police searches in the area.
Under the heading ‘Terrorist Activity’, the leaflet reads: ‘We are appealing for information following reports of suspicious terrorist related activity by violent dissident republicans in your area.
‘If you suspect that serious criminal activity is taking place in your neighbourhood, you don’t have to stay silent.
‘You and your family have the right to live in an area free from the use of violence and intimidation.
‘Have you seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area? Do you have CCTV covering your property?
‘Do you have any information about suspicious or criminal activity in the Ballymagowan area?
‘You can pass on information about your concerns in a number of way (sic):
'Contact police on 101
‘Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 – Crimestoppers is anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.
‘You have the power to make a difference in your community.’
The letter is then marked with the official logo of the PSNI and related numbers. Police confirmed that they had distributed the leaflets earlier this week.
Pictured below: The letter that was distributed by police in the Ballymagowan area earlier this week.
Disruption
One man who received the flyer told the Derry News: “It may be worth mentioning that there was more disruption from the helicopter the police had above our houses in the early hours all last week when people were trying to sleep and get children to sleep for school.”
Gary Donnelly, local independent councillor for the area, said that the leaflets were distributed after what he described as ‘hostile house raids’.
“The PSNI are unreformed from the RUC, their role remains the same as they enforce British Rule in Ireland,” he said.
“The fact that this operation was carried out by heavily armed officers, backed up by armoured vehicles and air support, bears testimony to this.
“The unreformed nature of their presence can be felt in places like Creggan with their abusive stop and search powers.”
He added: “They exacerbate this with hostile house raids and the PSNI clearly mark themselves out in working class Republican areas as an oppressive occupying force far removed from the smiles and PR spin of their hollow 'community neighbourhood policing' facade.”
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