Police have identified a number of suspects following a sectarian attack on a 12-year-old girl.
The PSNI have also found witnesses to the attack on Ella McClay in Derry on Monday.
Detectives are “in the process” of speaking to the witnesses and those suspected of carrying out the attack that left the young girl hospitalised.
Her father Paul described the attack as “vile”, adding she was targeted for no other reason than because she was a “Prod”.
The PSNI said detectives “ have identified a number of witnesses to this incident, and a number of suspects, and are currently in the process of speaking with these individuals”.
“Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and officers would ask anyone with information, and who has not already spoken with them, to contact police,” the PSNI added.
Police have described the attack on young Ella as a “sectarian hate crime". She was assaulted at Shipquay Place.
Footage of the attack shared online shows the victim being attacked outside a cafe, with a group of young girls kicking her and pulling her hair as she lay on the ground.
The Belfast Telegraph reported the youngster was "set up" by another girl before the attack. She was reportedly chased by a gang through a shopping centre before being attacked.
Ella told the newspaper references were made to her “being a Prod" during the attack. It has left her afraid to return to the city centre, she said.
Derry Sinn Féin Mayor Sandra Duffy said: “As a mother of two daughters I was shocked and upset that a 12-year-old girl would have to endure this type of hate in our city centre.
“I want to offer my support to the young girl and her family and reassure them that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.
“Our city centre should be a safe space for every young person to visit and socialise and I would appeal to anyone who has information relating to this attack to report it to the PSNI."
She added: “As we approach the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement it is imperative that we continue to create a safe and shared environment for all our communities.”
Ella’s father Paul told Belfast Live: "It's vile. That's the reason they hit her - because she's a 'Prod'.
"It's disgusting. Who in their right mind gives anyone the right to hit anybody like that? They were so young, so where do they get it from?"
