A mother-of-three has been attacked by masked men who forced their way into her Derry home last night.
The woman was punched, slapped and hit on the legs with a hammer after the gang entered her Bloomfield Park house.
Her three young children were home at the time and have been left badly shaken by the ordeal.
Detective Inspector Michael Winters said: “We received a report, just before 10.45pm last night, that three masked men had forced their way into a house in the area.
“It’s reported that two of the men assaulted the female occupant. She was punched and slapped, and hit around the legs with a hammer. This assault took place in one of the downstairs rooms. Meanwhile, the third male went around the house, smashing windows and mirrors.
“The woman was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening.
“This was a violent attack on a female. Furthermore, her three young children were home at the time. And, while physically uninjured, they have been left badly shaken. It was a traumatic ordeal, which no family should ever have to experience.
“While enquiries are at an early stage, this has all the makings of a paramilitary-style attack."
Police have appealed for information.
