Petrol bombs thrown at police van ahead of Joe Biden's visit to Northern Ireland
Horrifying footage shows a gang in hoods throwing “petrol bombs” at a police van in Derry ahead of Joe Biden ’s visit to Northern Ireland.
A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) van is shown in a social media clip being pelted by missiles and catching fire as it is parked at a street corner.
Several people in hoods are seen lobbing the bottles at the van while one person could also be seen hitting the front of the vehicle with a stick.
Behind them are a larger group arriving before the 30 second clip shared on Twitter cuts out.
The tweet is captioned: “Petrol bombs thrown at the PSNI during Easter Rising parade in Derry @irish_news #easter #1916.”
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More footage then shows the police van being driven away and a republican parade marching down the street.
Meanwhile, police have appealed for calm after officers were attacked with petrol bombs in Londonderry.
A PSNI tweet said: "Our officers have come under attack in Creggan with petrol bombs and other objects thrown at their vehicle while in attendance at an un-notified Easter parade.
A police van filmed being pelted by petrol bombs (AP)"No injuries have been reported at this time.
"We would appeal for calm."
It comes with a dissident republican Easter commemoration parade being held in the city.
The parade, which travelled to the City Cemetery, was led by a number of people in paramilitary-style dress.
The violence comes ahead of the visit of Joe Biden (Peter Morrison/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Police in Northern Ireland have warned of possible terror attacks ahead of visits by Rishi Sunak and the US President next week.
The PSNI said it had "strong" intelligence suggesting officers could be targeted in Derry on Monday.
The video clip showed a large crowd surrounding the police van (Peter Morrison/AP/REX/Shutterstock)MI5 had recently raised the terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely.
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This followed the gun attack on senior detective John Caldwell in Co Tyrone, who has been left with life-changing injuries.
Members of the colour party during their march on April 10 in Derry (Getty Images)Police have blamed the New IRA for the attack.
Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said: "It's going to be a really significant weekend for the PSNI.
Joe Biden is due to visit Northern Ireland (PA)"There is also very strong community intelligence specifically coming forward in respect of Monday's events in Derry/Londonderry and a real concern that there may be attempts to draw police in to serious public disorder and to use that then as a platform to launch terrorist attacks on police as well."
Police had increased security measures in response to the un-notified parade.
Political representatives have condemned the violence.
The remains of petrol bombs on the ground as Republican protesters opposed to the Good Friday Agreement take part in a parade (AP)Tweeting in response to images of young people throwing petrol bombs, Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said: "Absolute wasters. Sent out to riot by men sitting in pubs acting the big lads."
Alliance Party MLA Kellie Armstrong tweeted: "Disgraceful. The actions of some who want to drag NI back to dark days is abhorrent."
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