Police probe petrol bomb attack in Cookstown

By Q Radio News

Two people have escaped injury after a petrol bomb was thrown at a house in Cookstown last night. 

A woman who was in the property in the Crossglebe area looked out the window just before 10pm following a loud bang to see a masked man fleeing the scene. 

Police are trying to identify a motive for the attack which has been condemned by SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone. 

“People in Sandholes are shocked this morning after a petrol bomb attack on a home in the Crossglebe area last night," he said.  

“The thugs behind this attack, who were disturbed by residents during the incident last night, have nothing to offer this community. People here don’t want violence on their streets.

“I would encourage anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area shortly before 10pm on Saturday night to come forward to police.”

A PSNI spokesperson said: "It was reported to police at around 9.55 pm, that around five minutes earlier a petrol bomb had been thrown at the front of the property.

"The female occupant heard a loud bang and saw flames at the window, when she went to the front of the house she observed a masked man standing next to a car parked outside. The male dropped a bottle he had been holding and ran off.

"The two occupants who were in the property at the time of the incident were uninjured.

"Police are working to establish a motive for the attack and would also like to hear from anyone with information.

"They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in the area and who have seen a male fleeing the scene.

"Detectives can be contacted by calling 101, quoting reference 1908 20/02/21."