Anger at attack on crash police

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Sinn Fein have condemned an attack on police at the scene of a road accident in which a seven-year-old girl was knocked down.

A gang of youths threw stones and missiles at officers in the Galliagh area of Londonderry. A police vehicle was damaged and they had to withdraw.

The girl is in a stable condition in hospital, following Wednesday's attack.

Police superintendent David Hanna said community workers tried to defuse the situation but other adults did nothing.

"Some good work was done on the ground by community representatives. Unfortunately, the violence escalated," he said.

"What is disappointing is that a lot of adults stood idly by and watched young people attacking the police carrying out this investigation.

"Subsequently, my officers had to withdraw without possibly obtaining the best evidence."

Concerns

Sinn Fein councillor Tony Hassan said the community could help to bring attacks on the emergency services to an end.

SDLP councillor Sean Carr also condemned the attack.

"Unfortunately this is the latest in a long list of incidents in this street in the last few months and it must stop. I will be raising my concerns with local police," he said.

The driver was hurt in the incident but his injuries are not thought to be serious.