Long: Violence must stop before lives are lost
Date published:
Justice Minister Naomi Long has condemned recent attacks on the police and urged those involved to step back from violence.
Naomi Long said: “I am appalled at the violence that has been demonstrated towards police officers, who day and daily put themselves on the front line to protect communities and keep people safe. They should be supported by all of us for doing their job, not attacked because of it.
“I have spoken with the Chief Constable to assure him of my full support and my thoughts are with the 41 officers who have suffered injuries as a result of these mindless attacks. There is simply no excuse for violence. It should not be tolerated and it must stop before lives are lost.
“The scenes we have witnessed over the past few nights have resulted in nothing but property destroyed and lives endangered. Once again we see adults drawing children and young people into violence and disorder.
“All too sadly, there are young people who left home with a clean record and will be waking up in the days ahead looking at the prospect of a criminal record, the consequences of which will stay with them for the rest of their life.”
Notes to editors:
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