Image caption The police called it a "serious and malicious assault"

A "vulnerable" 15-year-old boy has become the victim of a paramilitary-style attack.

Masked attackers hit the boy with iron bars in Gartan Square in Londonderry at about 00:00 BST on Saturday, breaking several bones in his body.

The police called it a "serious and malicious assault".

Chief Insp Alan Hutton said: "The assault has all the hallmarks of a paramilitary-style attack, with the assailants all wearing masks.

Police have appealed for information.