11/12/2012

Gang Throws Petrol Bomb Into Police Car

A masked gang has thrown a petrol bomb into an unmarked police car.

A group of men surrounded the car, smashing it with iron bars before throwing a petrol bomb inside.

The unmarked police car was parked outside Alliance Party MP Naomi Long’s east Belfast office.

Police are treating the petrol bomb attack, which occurred on the Upper Newtownards Road at about 19:35 on Monday night, as attempted murder.

Naomi Long was the subject of a death threat last week which forced her to leave her constituency office.

The Alliance Party has come under attack over the past week from unionists and loyalists who disagree with the outcome of a council vote in favour of removing the union flag from Belfast City Hall and only flying it on designated days throughout the year.

The House of Commons is to debate the ongoing violence in Northern Ireland on Tuesday.

Ms Long told the BBC: "There is no doubt in my mind that the car was targeted because it was undertaking patrols in the vicinity of my office and I find that absolutely repugnant."

She likened the incident to a pogrom.

Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton said: "This was a planned attempt to kill a police officer which also put the lives of the public in danger and it is fortunate there were no injuries as a result of this attack.

"I am urgently appealing to those involved in ongoing protests to listen to their political leaders and step back from protest activity before someone is seriously injured or killed."

(IT)

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