Gun Attack On NI Officers 'Attempted Murder'

A gun attack on two police officers in Northern Ireland is being treated as attempted murder.

A number of shots hit the passenger side of a parked police car in the West Belfast suburb of Andersontown just before 7pm on Thursday evening.

Two officers were in the car when it came under attack. They escaped unhurt but were badly shaken.

Chief Superintendent Nigel Grimshaw from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said: "This was a mindless and reckless attempt to kill police officers who were carrying out routine duties as part of an investigation into serious crime.

"Thankfully it failed."

Mr Grimshaw said a review of procedures would be carried out in the wake of the attack but officers would not be put off carrying out their daily duties.

Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey 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.

"Those responsible have nothing to offer the community, they do not speak for local people and need to end these reckless and futile actions immediately.

"We will not allow them to drag us back to the past."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the PSNI on 101.