Stewart Dickson MLA said: “This was clearly an organised and co-ordinated attack, and the Assistant Chief Constable has laid the blame firmly with the South East Antrim UDA. This raises serious questions about the status of that paramilitary group.
“This was an act of pure criminality, focused on attempting to take control of an area and the violent intimidation of a community. The public are sick and tired of thugs, gangsters and criminals trying to hold our community to ransom.
“Many will wonder, 20 years after the ceasefires and 16 years after the Good Friday Agreement, why the UDA are even still in existence. What is going on in Northern Ireland in 2014 that we have a large group invading a town, destroying houses and attacking the police?
“My thoughts are with the police officer injured during this sickening attack and to wish him a speedy recovery.”
ENDS