Speaking following the shameful attacks on PSNI officers in Londonderry and Strabane over the weekend, Gary Middleton said:
“The disgraceful attacks on PSNI officers in Londonderry and Strabane over the weekend are completely unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. My thoughts are with the officers involved, and I commend them for their professionalism, bravery, and resilience in the face of such reckless violence.
It is vital that those responsible face the full force of the law. However, the reality is that those who engage in these despicable attacks do not face stringent enough penalties. Previous instances of such violence have set a lenient precedent, Too often, those who target our police escape justice or are back on the streets far too soon.
I urge the Justice Minister to back up her words of condemnation with action. We need tougher penalties and longer sentences for those who attack our police officers. It is not enough to simply denounce these actions; we must ensure that our justice system delivers real consequences for those who engage in such criminality.
At a time when we are actively working to recruit more PSNI officers, we must send a clear message: those who step up to serve our community will be protected, and those who attack them will face the full weight of the law.”