Petrol bomb attack on PSNI officer ‘attempted murder’
An “horrific” attack on an officer is being treated as attempted murder after a petrol bomb was thrown directly at him at the scene of a house fire yesterday (April 10).
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officer was with colleagues who responded to the fire in St Cecilia’s Walk, Creggan, which had been reported shortly before 11am.
When officers were at the scene a number of young people gathered and threw stones at them, said the PSNI. As police remained to secure the scene throughout the afternoon, a petrol bomb, which had been lit, was directly thrown at an officer.
Superintendent Clive Beatty said: “Our colleague was one of several of our officers who had responded to the fire, and was working to keep people safe when he was targeted in such a senseless manner.
“Thankfully, he acted quickly and prevented serious injury by deflecting the petrol bomb away from his body. He sustained an injury to his hand in doing so, however, he was able to remain on duty and continue to serve our community.
“What happened is unacceptable. No one should go to work and be placed in such a dangerous situation. Were it not for his quick reaction, the consequences could have resulted in serious injury, or worse.”
The chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland has called on local politicians to “unequivocally condemn” the petrol bomb attack on the officer in Derry/Londonderry.
Mark Lindsay said: “This was a calculated and cold-blooded attack on an officer which could easily have seriously injured or cost him his life. If it wasn’t for the quick reaction of the officer, the consequences could have been catastrophic.
“The person who launched this petrol bomb contributes nothing to the wellbeing or safeguarding of the local community nor do they represent the vast number of law abiding residents of the Creggan.
“I have a right to expect the unequivocal condemnation of all local politicians who must see this as an attack on the whole community.
“Our officer resumed his duties and is to be applauded for doing so. There could have been a much different outcome and, if nothing else, it shows the dangers officers face day and daily as they work to safeguard the entire community and rid us of people who have nothing but hatred to offer.”
Detectives from PSNI’s Criminal Investigation Branch are leading the investigation into both the fire at the property, which has been ruled as deliberate, and into the subsequent disorder and attack on the officer.
Detective Inspector Gareth Lavery said: “We are treating this horrific attack on our colleague as attempted murder, and I have a number of appeals to make as part of our investigation into the incident, the fire and subsequent disorder.
“In relation to the house fire, this was reported to us at around 10:45am yesterday. The property was vacant at the time and, thanks to the work of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, the blaze was prevented from spreading to neighbouring properties. There were no reports of any injuries. This incident is being investigated as arson.”
Det Insp Lavery is appealing to anyone who captured footage or witnessed what happened in the St Cecilia’s Walk area and the “attempted murder of the officer” to contact the force.