Surgery for Belfast policemen hurt by bomb

A BOMB which was thrown into a crowded Belfast street and injured three policemen could have killed passing children, Northern Ireland's Chief Constable said yesterday.

Matt Baggott said the suspected dissident Republican attack in the west of the city could have claimed many lives.

One of the officers is set to have emergency surgery on a serious arm injury later while his two colleagues are recovering from less serious shrapnel injuries.

They and other officers were investigating a robbery at a bookmakers in Shaw's Road at around 9pm on Friday when a young man rode up on a bicycle and threw the device at them.

Baggott said: "It was a very serious attempt to maim or kill police officers and it was very serious attempt to maim or kill innocent people walking down that street. Shaw's Road was not an isolated place - it was busy with adults, young people and children."