Londonderry: Spate of hijackings 'violation of grief'

Politicians have condemned a spate of hijackings in Londonderry on the eve of John Hume's funeral.

Police said three vehicles were hijacked in the Creggan estate, Glenowen Park and Ballymagroarty.

In the first incident, a van was hijacked in Rathlin Drive at 15:55 BST and set alight a short distance away.

A second van was hijacked 50 minutes later in Glenowen Park, then a bus on Aileach Road at 17:15 BST. It was set alight, but quickly extinguished.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood condemned the incidents on the same day that the body of John Hume was being returned to the city.

"People are trying to show their respect for a man who brought an end to conflict," he said.

"The attacks on people and vehicles that have taken place across the city are a violation of Derry's grief and those responsible have set themselves against our community.

"It needs to stop now and those responsible must be held accountable."

Sinn Féin assembly member Martina Anderson said: "The hijacking and burning of postal and delivery vans by masked individuals across Derry on Monday and today is wrong and I absolutely condemn it.

"This serves no purpose other than destroying people's livelihoods and causing major disruption to people living in the local community, particularly those waiting on parcels.

"It's even more disgraceful that these attacks have taken place while the city mourns on the eve of the funeral of John Hume."

The body of the former SDLP leader is being brought from Donegal to his home city of Derry on Tuesday night.

Police have appealed for anyone with any information about the hijackings to contact them.