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Gun attack on PSNI officers 'lured' to bogus burglary | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Detectives are continuing to question a 26-year-old man arrested over the attempted murders of three police officers on the outskirts of Belfast. | Detectives are continuing to question a 26-year-old man arrested over the attempted murders of three police officers on the outskirts of Belfast. |
Up to six shots were fired as the officers got out of their vehicle at Foxes Glen on Thursday afternoon. No-one was injured. | Up to six shots were fired as the officers got out of their vehicle at Foxes Glen on Thursday afternoon. No-one was injured. |
They were responding to bogus reports of a burglary in the area. | They were responding to bogus reports of a burglary in the area. |
The man was arrested on Thursday night. A number of searches are also ongoing in greater Belfast. | The man was arrested on Thursday night. A number of searches are also ongoing in greater Belfast. |
Chief Inspector Darrin Jones said: "It is despicable that police officers who were simply trying to give assistance to a person they believed needed them, should be attacked so ruthlessly. | Chief Inspector Darrin Jones said: "It is despicable that police officers who were simply trying to give assistance to a person they believed needed them, should be attacked so ruthlessly. |
"I feel extremely fortunate and incredibly grateful that those responsible for this attack failed in their goal to murder. | "I feel extremely fortunate and incredibly grateful that those responsible for this attack failed in their goal to murder. |
"We could so easily have been dealing with an unimaginable tragedy had the person or persons who pulled the trigger had their evil way." | "We could so easily have been dealing with an unimaginable tragedy had the person or persons who pulled the trigger had their evil way." |
'Lured to the area' | |
The police said one line of inquiry was that the officers may have been "lured" to the area to be targeted. | The police said one line of inquiry was that the officers may have been "lured" to the area to be targeted. |
The gun attack happened at about 13:00 BST on Thursday. | The gun attack happened at about 13:00 BST on Thursday. |
The street was busy with children returning from school and playgroups at the time. | The street was busy with children returning from school and playgroups at the time. |
Resident Margaret McGrath said: "I heard shots, I heard the police car, the wheels screeching on it and then I saw them really, really drive fast out of here. | |
"They were speeding so I knew that something had happened. | |
"I'm disgusted, we left this behind us a long time ago." | |
A number of homes were evacuated in the area as a precaution, but residents have now been allowed to return. | |
'Cowardly and callous attack' | |
Secretary of State Theresa Villiers said those behind the gun attack had "virtually no support". | |
"These officers were extremely fortunate not to have been killed or injured by such a cowardly and callous attack," she said. | |
"Those behind this attack have nothing to offer their community." | |
Sinn Fein councillor Stephen Magennis said the gunmen had "not only jeopardised the lives of police officers but also local people including children". | |
"We are very lucky no one was injured or killed in this reckless and pointless attack," he said. | |
Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn said he was concerned by "what appears to have been an attempt to lure police officers into a trap". | |
"This just reminds us of the need to show extra vigilance, especially during the G8 when there will be a heightened security level," he said. |