RIOTERS have injured more than 700 policemen since the start of the year, it was revealed last night.

The attacks have continued throughout Ramadan, including during prayer times, said Public Security chief Major-General Tariq Al Hassan.

He said officers were being targeted with potentially lethal homemade weapons such as Molotov cocktails.

"More than 700 policemen have been injured since the start of this year," he announced during a Press conference at the Interior Ministry Officers' Club in Gudaibiya.

"Even now, when it is the holy month they are attacked by vandals during Iftar and Sahoor times or when they are praying," he added.

Maj-Gen Al Hassan also hit out at rogue elements using social media to incite violence against policemen.

"I am not directly attacking or accusing Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, but only stating the facts here as they use social media to spread all these allegations against policemen," he said.

"The Interior Ministry does not accept these serious allegations and has the right to respond and even investigate them.

"Nobody comes out and condemns these illegal homemade explosive factories we busted in Salmabad or policemen being regularly injured and insulted by vandals."

Maj-Gen Al Hassan referred to the failure of religious figures and political societies to condemn the discovery of bomb factories in Salmabad and Hamad Town - despite the threat to the public.

Bahrain's top policeman also hit back at a video posted online by Al Wefaq that appeared to show a group of youths trapped inside a burning garage.

"These youths attacked policemen and used the garage as a hiding spot," he said.

"But it seems someone started smoking inside the garage and there was petrol that ignited the fire.

"It occurred inside the garage and is being investigated," he added. sandy@gdn.com.bh