Policing Board members call for bomb site meeting to go ahead

DUP Members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Jonathan Bell MLA and Ian McCrea MLA have condemned those responsible for leaving a bomb at Culmore Road, Londonderry.

But both are determined a meeting between the Policing Board and community representatives should go ahead on Friday despite damage to Da Vinci's hotel where the meeting is scheduled to take place.

Jonathan Bell MLA said: "I have been in contact with the Policing Board and am determined that we should continue with our Policing Board meeting at the Da Vinci Hotel on Friday.

"At the meeting we are due to consider the progress of our Police in assisting the 1 in 4 women affected by the crime of domestic abuse which costs Northern ireland in the region of 180 million pounds annually.

"The terrorists will not stop us from protecting women in our community."

Meanwhile, Acting Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board Brian Rea condemned the attack.

"This attack has been roundly condemned as hasthe damage caused to local businesses as a result.

"Board Members are due to meet with community representatives in Da Vinci's later this week to discuss the policing of domestic abuse in the area.

"This is the type of issue that the local community want the police to be dealing with and they have no time for those responsible for this attack which has only served to cause inconvenience and disruption to their lives."