Thugs rained down Molotov cocktails, rocks and bottles on a Police van on Wednesday night in an apparent revenge attack over heightened patrols.

For the last few weeks Police have been hitting crime hotspots in a bid to drive the criminals away.

However one Police source said the barrage was clearly a revenge attack.

"It was like 'if you are coming we will give you something to come for'."

The vehicle was patrolling at the junction of Curving Avenue and Rambling Lane in Pembroke at 9.30 p.m. on Wednesday when the rocks and bottles were thrown.

When the officers stopped the vehicle to search for the culprits, two lit Molotov cocktails were thrown at the Police vehicle ? one struck a nearby wall, while the other struck the right side of the van.

However, only minor damage was caused to the van as the Molotov cocktail that struck it was no longer lit when it made contact.

No officers were injured but Police failed to make arrests.