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Belfast shooting: Shots fired at police at Rossnareen Avenue Belfast shooting 'attempt to kill police officers'
(35 minutes later)
Police say they are treating a gun attack on officers in west Belfast, in which up to eight shots were fired, as attempted murder.Police say they are treating a gun attack on officers in west Belfast, in which up to eight shots were fired, as attempted murder.
A number of shots struck the passenger side of a police car parked at Rossnareen Avenue, at about 18:50 GMT on Thursday.A number of shots struck the passenger side of a police car parked at Rossnareen Avenue, at about 18:50 GMT on Thursday.
Two officers who were in the car were not injured but were said to have been badly shaken.Two officers who were in the car were not injured but were said to have been badly shaken.
Police described it as a "mindless, reckless attempt to kill officers".Police described it as a "mindless, reckless attempt to kill officers".
Ch Supt Nigel Grimshaw said: "This will not deter these officers or their colleagues from providing a much-needed and increasingly valued police service in west Belfast. 'Serious weaponry'
"We will review our procedures in light of this gun attack, but we will not be deterred from providing a comprehensive and community-based policing service. Ch Supt Nigel Grimshaw said the officers were "very fortunate and it was only by the grace of God and their professionalism that we are not looking at fatalities".
"Those who believe that trying to kill officers will achieve anything are deluded." He told the BBC the attack "certainly does bear the hallmarks of dissident republican violence in recent times".
"People took a premeditated decision to step out into a residential area last night and bring some serious weaponry into play and fire shots at police officers," he said.
Police are investigating whether a car found burning in the Beechmount area was connected to the attack.Police are investigating whether a car found burning in the Beechmount area was connected to the attack.
'Despicable crime' Appealing for information, Ch Supt Grimshaw said: "Clearly when these incidents happen in communities, people may have various bits of information, no matter how trivial they area, and it's important they come forward."
Ch Supt Grimshaw said the officers had been carrying out duties in relation to recent serious crime in the area. The officers were carrying out duties in relation to recent serious crime in the area.
A week ago a man was critically injured after being shot in the head in the same street.A week ago a man was critically injured after being shot in the head in the same street.
Ch Supt Grimshaw said the police would review what happened on Thursday night to see what lessons they could learn.
"Paramount to me is the safety of my officers, and we review our procedures, tactics and patrolling patterns all the time, and we're always learning," he said.
"I'm thankful that the protection offered by the patrol vehicles and the equipment we provide has given some measure of safety, but we will always keep that under review and work with officers to make sure we do everything to keep them safe."
'Futile act'
Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said the shooting was "a futile act which could have resulted in carnage for anyone in the vicinity".Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said the shooting was "a futile act which could have resulted in carnage for anyone in the vicinity".
Secretary of State Theresa Villiers said Thursday's attack was "shocking".Secretary of State Theresa Villiers said Thursday's attack was "shocking".
"The people behind this despicable crime will rightly attract condemnation from right across the community," she said."The people behind this despicable crime will rightly attract condemnation from right across the community," she said.
Justice Minister David Ford described it as appalling.Justice Minister David Ford described it as appalling.
"This was clearly an attempt to kill police officers serving the community," he said."This was clearly an attempt to kill police officers serving the community," he said.
"Those responsible for this cowardly act have also shown absolutely no regard for local residents. I am very thankful that no-one was injured.""Those responsible for this cowardly act have also shown absolutely no regard for local residents. I am very thankful that no-one was injured."
Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey also condemned the attack.Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey also condemned the attack.
"This attack happened in the early evening in a busy area and could have killed or seriously injured anyone in the area at the time," he said."This attack happened in the early evening in a busy area and could have killed or seriously injured anyone in the area at the time," he said.
"Thankfully no-one was injured, but it was a frightening experience for people in the area.""Thankfully no-one was injured, but it was a frightening experience for people in the area."
Debbie Watters, the vice-chairwoman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said: "I'm thankful that the officers in the police car escaped without injury, but this was certainly not the intent of those responsible."Debbie Watters, the vice-chairwoman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said: "I'm thankful that the officers in the police car escaped without injury, but this was certainly not the intent of those responsible."
The SDLP's Tim Attwood said: "There's no place in Belfast, or Northern Ireland, for people to come out in the dead of night to target police officers."The SDLP's Tim Attwood said: "There's no place in Belfast, or Northern Ireland, for people to come out in the dead of night to target police officers."
Ulster Unionist Ross Hussey said it was "a cowardly attack on officers serving the community".Ulster Unionist Ross Hussey said it was "a cowardly attack on officers serving the community".