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Paramilitary-style attacks on under-18s are 'child abuse', PSNI says

A 15-year-old boy after he was beaten by an iron bar in a paramilitary-style attack. Picture from PSNI
A 15-year-old boy after he was beaten by an iron bar in a paramilitary-style attack. Picture from PSNI A 15-year-old boy after he was beaten by an iron bar in a paramilitary-style attack. Picture from PSNI

THE PSNI has released images linked to paramilitary-style attacks, including injuries caused to a 15-year-old boy after he was beaten by an iron bar, to mark United Nations' Universal Children's Day.

In 2016/17, 28 people were injured in so-called punishment attacks - double the number recorded in the previous year.

During the same period, 66 people were injured in paramilitary-style assaults - 56 of which were attributed to loyalist crime gangs.

PSNI Detective Superintendent Bobby Singleton said around six per cent of the paramilitary-style attacks carried out last year were against people under 18 years.

"We have a choice - this doesn't need to be the future for our children. Work with us to make your community safer providing a better and brighter future for our children, by engaging with the only legitimate form of law within their community," he said.