Police in Derry investigating the sectarian beating of a 12-year-old girl who required hospital treatment say they have identified a number of both witnesses and suspects.
The girl's father said the attack, which was filmed and posted on social media, was "vile".
Ella McClay, who is from the Waterside area of the city, was reportedly filmed being forced to the ground by her hair and kicked in the face and upper body.
Read more: Father of Derry girl, 12, hospitalised after sectarian beating says attack was 'vile'
Police said the incident was reported to have taken place at around 5.20pm on Monday in Shipquay Place in the city centre.
A spokesperson confirmed earlier this week that the incident is being treated as a sectarian hate crime.
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?"
In an update, a spokesperson for the PSNI said on Friday: "Police in Derry/Londonderry, continue to investigate an incident in Shipquay Place, on Monday 3rd April in which a girl was attacked by a number of other girls in what is being treated as a sectarian hate crime.
"Officers 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."
The police spokesperson added: "Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and officers would ask anyone with information, and who has not already spoken with them, to contact police at Strand Road on 101, quoting reference number 937 05/04/23. A report can also be made online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
READ NEXT:
- A6 opening welcomed but 'lessons must be learned' from delays, says MP
- Derry and Strabane council: Easter weekend bin collection arrangements
- Man jailed after smashing car window over comments made about his girlfriend
- PSNI braced for 'public disorder' to 'launch terrorist attacks' on Easter Monday
To get the latest breaking news from Co Derry straight to your inbox, sign up to our free newsletter.
