Derry: Officer injured as police attacked in security alert hoax

A police officer has been injured attending a security alert in Londonderry that was later declared a hoax.

Police were called to Aileach Road in the Ballymagroarty area at 1910 (BST) on Friday.

When officers arrived to examine an object a group of youths threw petrol bombs, paint cans and masonry at them.

One officer was injured but remained on duty and police vehicles were damaged during the attack.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Inspector Moyne said ammunition technical officers attended the scene and assessed a suspicious object, which was removed for further examination.

Police declared the alert a hoax. They said an investigation was under way and appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood condemned the attack.

Wishing the injured officer a speedy recovery, the SDLP leader said: "Police officers do a very difficult job in often challenging situations and nobody should have to face attacks of these nature while going about a Officer injured in Londonderry security alert hoaxday's work."

He said those responsible had no support and needed to "get off the backs of the local community".