Politicians have united in condemning what an Alliance Foyle representative today described as attempted murder when shots were fired at police officers in Londonderry on Wednesday night

A number of PSNI officers were responding to a report of a stolen vehicle when shots were fired in their direction, but no one was hurt.

Alliance's Keith McGrellis commented: "These police officers were just doing their job, to protect and serve our community. They are there to ensure that we are able to go about our daily lives.

"This was clearly attempted murder. If you fire a gun at anybody, you are trying to kill them.

"I would urge anybody with any information about this shooting to contact the police.

"The people behind it must be apprehended by the police before somebody is killed."

PSNI Superintendent Chris Yates also commented: "I have no doubt this was an attempt to kill a police officer. We are very fortunate that no-one was injured."

Local SDLP MLA, Pat Ramsey told BBC NI that he also believed that the police were 'lured' into the area: "It clearly was an ambush in a densely populated area, it's a very busy thoroughfare as well.

"We've had bombs outside police stations; we've had other attacks involving pipe bombs. This one, ambushing police officers, lured and trapped, will be worrying for the police."

Police have appealed for witnesses to the gun attack to contact them.

(JG/BMcC)