Teenager sustains serious facial injuries after gang attack - PSNI treating attack 'as a disability hate crime' and say 'it is completely unacceptable that a young man going peacefully about his business should be targeted in this way'

Brendan McDowell said the teen had worked for his cosmetics business – and appealed for information.

PSNI Inspector Browne said: "It was reported that at around 5.20pm, a teenage boy was attacked by six other teenage boys, sustaining serious facial injuries.

"We are treating this assault as a disability hate crime. It is completely unacceptable that a young man going peacefully about his business should be targeted in this way.

"We have had a great response from local retailers when carrying out CCTV checks and are following a number of positive lines of enquiry.

“There is no place for hate in our society and we take reports of these types of crimes incredibly seriously.

"We all have a role to play in eliminating this behaviour from our community and we would continue to appeal to anyone who may have been in the area and witnessed anything suspicious to contact us.

“If you have any information, please contact us on 101, quoting reference number 1237 of 24/02/24.”

A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport

Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org