Police in Derry have confirmed they are treating material placed on three bonfires in the city on Saturday night as sectarian-motivated hate crimes. No arrests have been announced.

The bonfires were located on Bligh's Lane in Creggan, Lecky Road in the Bogside and Corrody Road in the Top of the Hill area of the Waterside. Items burned included flags, poppy wreaths, banners, political material, sashes and football shirts, according to Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney, area commander for Derry City and Strabane. She described the material as disgraceful and said it would not affect police work.

A poster showing First Minister Michelle O'Neill was placed on one of the bonfires. In response, O'Neill said the burning of images of her was the opposite of republicanism, that she would not be deterred or intimidated, and that she would continue to call out sectarianism and anti-community activity.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said the bonfire on the Lecky Road flyover was hate-filled sectarianism, put people at risk and blocked roads. She said it was not representative of most people in the city. Last week, Department for Infrastructure staff with PSNI support removed around 500 pallets stored beneath the flyover. Damage to the flyover road surface was visible on Monday morning.

UUP leader Jon Burrows called the Bogside bonfire a pyre of sectarian hatred and absolutely disgraceful. He said all bonfires should be safe, respectful and lawful, with early engagement between councils, police, fire service and community groups. He also said police should intervene where a bonfire could put life or property at risk and that organisers should be held accountable when standards are breached.

TUV chairman Allister Kyle questioned whether police would take a similar approach to the Moygashel bonfire, where an arrest was made and a suspect was denied bail. He said loyal order collarettes, stolen flags, a Coleraine football club banner and poppy wreaths had been burned, and called for those responsible to be brought before the courts. Police said an investigation into an incident involving young Protestant bandsmen and women leaving the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall in July remains active.

DUP MP Gregory Campbell said a bonfire ban would be difficult to enforce and that most bonfires pass off without incident. He described the burning of O'Neill's image as unacceptable and said police should outline how they intend to deal with bonfires that cause problems. Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard said sectarian bonfires should no longer take place and called for management and regulation across all communities.

SDLP councillor John Boyle described the burning of images and flags as blatant sectarianism. Bishop Donal McKeown of Derry condemned the placing of material on the bonfires, saying some incidents amounted to a hate fest, though he said he was grateful no damage was done.

Police also said a further collection of potentially stolen commemorative items was found on Thursday 13 August during the Department for Infrastructure-led operation to remove pallets from beneath the Lecky flyover. The items included six poppy wreaths and a First World War commemoration banner. Officers are investigating how the material came to be there and are attempting to establish ownership. Anyone who believes the items belong to them is asked to call 101 quoting reference RM26049446. Enquiries into all the incidents remain ongoing.