Federation condemns ‘brutal and barbaric knife attack’
The Police Federation for Northern Ireland has described as ‘brutal and barbaric’ a knife attack on two officers in Derry/Londonderry.
PFNI Treasurer Elaine McCormill said: “This is a shocking, brutal and barbaric attack on officers. They were set upon with a frightening viciousness.
“One officer sustained a stab injury and required hospital treatment. The other officer was attacked at chest height, but their protective vest thankfully prevented the weapon causing serious injury.
Two further officers supporting their colleagues were also physically attacked and spat upon by another assailant. This perpetrator later also physically attacked and spat upon a police staff whilst in the Custody Suite.
“We could be looking at a much more serious outcome today had it not been for the training, restraint and professionalism exercised by our officers.
“Only last week, we talked about the risks officers confront daily as they work to safeguard communities, apprehend lawbreakers and help vulnerable people. This latest attack was mindless and underlines the need for the entire community to come out and voice its support for officers.
“Our recent ‘Let Them Protect’ campaign sought to enlist the backing of the wider community and create greater awareness of the vital work our colleagues do. We are seeing some results, but this latest, very worrying, incident in Derry/Londonderry means there can be no letting up in our efforts to deal with potentially life-threatening assaults.
“I want to wish our colleagues well as they recover from this frightening ordeal.
“This Federation believes the full weight of the law should be brought down on attackers and that must mean meaningful sentences by the courts to serve as a deterrent and make would-be assailants think twice before lashing out at our colleagues.”
