Man injured after 'savage' attack by masked men

A man is in hospital after a "savage" attack by masked men during an aggravated burglary in Londonderry.

The incident happened at a house in the Melmore Gardens area of the city shortly before 21:00 GMT on Tuesday evening.

Police said three masked men forced their way into the property in Creggan and carried out a sustained attack on a man in his 40s as he lay in bed, using weapons.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment for his injuries, where police say he remains on Wednesday morning.

The police said that four other people were inside the house at the time, including two teenage children. None reported any physical injuries.

"This was a savage attack," Det Insp Lizzie Ballentine from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said in a statement.

"There is no justification for this violence," she said.

"The trauma caused by this attack will last far beyond the physical injuries.

"Violence like this leaves deep psychological scars on victims, their families and young people."

Police have urged anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area between 20:30 and 21:00 GMT to come forward.

They have also appealed for anyone with doorbell, CCTV or dashcam footage to contact them.