Teenager left with serious injuries after group attack in Bangor
She has been treated in hospital but her injuries are so severe that medical staff will not be able to carry out x-rays on her face until next week.
Last updated 22nd Apr 2018
It is believed the 16 year old girl was assaulted by a group of teenagers around 7.30pm on Friday in the seafront area of Bangor.
She had sustained a number of facial injuries - so severe that medical staff will not be able to carry out x-rays on her face until next week.
Two people believed to be involved in the incident have been arrested.
A 16 year old girl has been arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (AOABH).
She has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
A 17 year old man was also arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with assault, aiding and abetting grievous bodily harm (GBH) and assault occasioning actual bodily harm (AOABH).
He is currently in police custody.
Police have also asked members of the public not to share a video of the alleged attack on social media.
Chief Inspector Gerry McGrath said: “While we appreciate the support of the local community and understand their shock at this assault, we would ask that members of the public do not use social media as a means of progressing this investigation.
“Our officers are working hard on this case and it is important that we follow due process.
“This was a particularly vicious attack on a young girl and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident on Friday evening to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 1465 of 22/4/18."
North Down DUP MLA Gordon Dunne has expressed his shock and disgust after the video appeared on social media.
The MLA added: ‘This was a shocking cruel assault on a girl in broad daylight in a busy area of Bangor along the pier. It is very alarming and worrying that this kind of behaviour goes on.
'The fact that some other young people nearby appear to have joined in and stood by videoing without trying to break up the attack is also very concerning.
'There is no place for this type of activity and I would call on anyone with any information to contact the PSNI immediately. The PSNI need to step up their patrols and presence on the ground to help prevent this kind of activity and I will be raising this with Senior PSNI Officers.
'I was in Bangor on Saturday afternoon and many people were in the town and Seafront area enjoying the good weather and an attack like this is not something anyone would expect to see.
'My sympathies go out to the victim of this attack and I trust she will be able to make a full recovery.'