The father of a 12-year-old girl who was hospitalised following a sectarian beating in Derry city has said the attack was "vile".
Ella McClay was assaulted by a gang of young people who kicked her, punched her and pulled her hair while on the ground.
The incident, which police are treating as a sectarian hate crime, was filmed and posted on social media.
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Speaking to Belfast Live, her father Paul said: "It's vile. That's the reason they hit her - because she's a 'Prod'.
"It's disgusting. Who in their right mind gives anyone the right to hit anybody like that? They were so young, so where do they get it from?"
The PSNI said the incident was reported to have taken place at around 5.20pm on Monday in Shipquay Place in the city centre.
A police spokesperson said: "This is being investigated as a sectarian hate crime, and police are appealing to anyone who has information about this attack, or who witnessed it, to get in touch."
The attack has been met with widespread condemnation.
Mayor, councillor Sandra Duffy, said: "As a mother of two daughters I was shocked and upset that a 12-year-old girl would have to endure this type of hate in our city centre. I want to offer my support to the young girl and her family and reassure them that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.
"Our city centre should be a safe space for every young person to visit and socialise and I would appeal to anyone who has information relating to this attack to report it to the PSNI."
UUP councillor Darren Guy said: "I would obviously, totally condemn the actions of a few mindless kids - and that's what they were.
"They chased this young girl through a local shopping centre into an area where she was obviously cornered.
"There are two videos - one of them shows them pulling the wee girl to the ground with her hair and kicking her in the head and upper body.
"I would hope that the parents of the kids who were the perpetrators would see this video and take their children to the PSNI - to teach them right from wrong.
"Sectarianism is wrong. Tomorrow is 25 years from the Good Friday Agreement being signed. There is a very small percentage of our society that we have dealt with sectarianism and it needs to be addressed."
Sinn Fein councillor Christopher Jackson said: "This must have been a very frightening experience for this young girl.
“There is no place for sectarianism in our society."
He continued: “The people of this city want and are entitled to an inclusive, better future for them and their children and reject this sectarian behaviour outright.
“I am appealing to anyone with information about this attack to bring it to the PSNI.”
PSNI Sergeant McCollam said: "Hate crime can have a long lasting, damaging impact on victims and their wider community. We believe that every person has the right to go about their lives without being the target of abusive language, or criminal behaviour motivated by hate or prejudice. We all have a role in eliminating this behaviour from our society. There is no place for hate and we take reports of this nature incredibly seriously."
A police spokesperson added: "The number to call with information is 101, quoting reference number 937 of 05/04/23. A report can also be made online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
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