PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has said the PSNI will "relentlessly pursue" those involved in the recent disorder across Northern Ireland.
He said that hatred and "mindless violence" must not be allowed to win after a series of racially motivated attacks in the region.
Mr Boutcher said he is determined to pursue all those involved in the violence, including inciting or encouraging the behaviour, with "every piece of legislation, every resource and every tactic available to me".
In a statement, Mr Boutcher said: "We have seen some despicable scenes across Northern Ireland of violence and disorder with one purpose, to scare our communities and incite hatred."
Mr Boutcher appealed to communities across Northern Ireland to continue "to publicly and loudly condemn" the disorder.
He said: "Stand with us in saying, this is not okay and it must stop.
"These people should not be louder than us."
He said that people must "think about the society we are creating for our young people" and the examples that are being set for the next generation.
"It doesn't have to be like this," he said.
"The future is in our hands, not these thugs," he added.
Mr Boutcher urged parents and guardians of children to "be vigilant" and to "take action" before the PSNI is forced to, if their child is becoming involved in "violent acts".
He said the "last thing we ever want to do is criminalise young people, but where they are found to be involved in the type of disorder seen in Derry last night, we will not hesitate to act".
"Age will not play a factor," he said, adding that such individuals "will be arrested and prosecuted".
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On Saturday night, ten PSNI officers were injured during disorder in Derry after, the PSNI said, items including fireworks, petrol bombs and other missiles were used to attack police.
The Chief Constable commended the PSNI’s personnel who responded to the unrest over recent days.
"Since the disorder began, a total of 20 PSNI officers have been injured and last night alone ten officers were injured in Derry," he said.
Mr Boutcher said a female officer had sustained "severe facial injuries" while another male officer was hospitalised with a broken leg.
The police chief said a parent has been charged with "three counts of riot and three counts of child cruelty relating to the disorder".
"Connected to those charges, a 15-year-old boy also appeared at court charged with four counts of riot, possession of a petrol bomb and three counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place," he said.
He added that people had also been charged with inciting the unrest, "through their online activity".
"I have made clear that the intimidation of our diverse communities will not be tolerated and neither will assaults or violence against my police officers," he said.
Meanwhile Derry City and Strabane Superintendent William Calderwood said one person has been arrested after Saturday night's unrest.
"The scenes we witnessed were disgusting, and I want to commend our officers for their professionalism," he said.
"These were difficult conditions for officers from across numerous departments. To see our officers injured as a result of this violence is appalling. It is completely unacceptable.
"To date one arrest has been made, but we can reassure you a robust investigation is under way to bring all those responsible for this violence to justice."
Supt Calderwood called the scenes of disorder "disgraceful and senseless".
"I want to make it clear that this violence involved individuals who were intent on attacking police, and who exploited an increased police presence in the city yesterday to do just that," he said.
"We know from the work our officers do on a daily basis that last night's disgraceful and senseless violence will have provoked anger in the local community and wider area."
The Taoiseach has described the violent scenes in Derry as an attack on democracy and said it must be condemned by all.
Speaking at the Tullamore Show in Co Offaly, Simon Harris said he joins with all political parties in Northern Ireland, along with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, in calling for an immediate halt to violence.
"The scenes that we have seen on the island of Ireland, and indeed in the United Kingdom, in recent days in terms of so-called protest, it is anything but protest.
"That is thuggery, that is intimidation, that is violence, and any attack on a police officer in this jurisdiction or in Northern Ireland is of course an attack on our democracy, an attack on our freedom and must be called out and condemned by all," Mr Harris said.
Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill said "violence has no place on our streets".
"These attacks on police officers, as well as the racist attacks on families, a place of worship and businesses over the weekend are wrong and totally unacceptable," she said.
Ms O'Neill said she had been in contact with the chief constable and offered her "support to the police officers injured in the disgraceful attacks last night in Derry".
"Together, we must work to end this violence and intimidation, and ensure that those responsible are held accountable," she said.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn also condemned the attack on police.
I'm appalled at the attacks on police in Derry/Londonderry last night. My thanks to the PSNI for working to keep people safe and our thoughts are with the officers who were injured. https://t.co/Yvg5SurXeP
— Hilary Benn (@hilarybennmp) August 11, 2024
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood described the disorder as "disgusting".
In a post on X, he said that Derry "resolutely opposes this senseless violence".
This is disgusting. And putting children in this position is nothing short of child abuse. Derry, resolutely, opposes this senseless violence. https://t.co/VACcDxCZTZ
— Colum Eastwood (@columeastwood) August 10, 2024
The upsurge in violence comes after thousands of people took to the streets of Belfast last week in an anti-racism demonstration.
Separately, a petrol bomb was thrown at a mosque in Co Down in the early hours of yesterday, in an incident described by police as racially motivated.
The mosque in Newtownards was attacked at around 1am, with graffiti sprayed on the front door and walls of the building in Greenwell Street.
Police said the petrol bomb did not ignite.
Several protests in Belfast city passed without incident on Friday evening, but police said officers are investigating a number of reports of damage to property and vehicles.
Cars were set alight in Tavanagh Street and Sandhurst Gardens and police said the incidents were being treated as racially motivated hate crimes.
The rear door of a restaurant in Ormeau Road was also kicked, with racial slurs shouted at the workers inside.
Five people were arrested on Friday.
Additional reporting Gail Conway
