The PSNI has confirmed it is investigating a violent attack on a schoolgirl in Omagh, which it believes was ‘racially motivated’.
The assault, which took place at the bus depot on Drumragh Avenue last Tuesday, was captured on video and later circulated widely online.
In the footage, the attacker can be heard using a racial slur while repeatedly punching and kicking the victim to the ground while other pupils watch. One pupil can be heard shouting ‘she did nothing wrong’.
A police inspector said they are treating the assault as a ‘racially motivated hate crime’.
Inspector Jack said: “The assault occurred on February 18 at a bus depot in the Drumragh Avenue area of the town.
“We are treating this report as a racially-motivated hate crime, and enquiries are ongoing.”
It’s the second time in less than a year that a video of schoolgirls fighting at Omagh bus station has been widely circulated.
After an attack in April last year the PSNI’s Armed Response Unit, prompted by circulation of a video that captured the altercation during which one of the teenagers involved was holding what appeared to be a pair of scissors, visited local schools about concerns.
Over the course of the two minutes of shocking footage pupils from various local schools were seen videoing the fight on their mobile phones, many laughing and shouting, as two girls wrestled around the concrete, kicking, slapping and pulling each other’s hair.
On the latest incident Inspector Jack urged members of the public who have received the footage to refrain from circulating the video further.
“We are also aware of footage of this report circulating on social media and would ask the public to please refrain from sharing this content – and to permanently delete it if you have it in your possession,” he said.
“Anyone who witnessed what happened or who has any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1213 19/02/25.”
Both schools have been contacted for comment.