ATHENS – Another assault on a Greek police station, this one by a group of some 40 people dressed in costumes for the annual carnival period, drew condemnation from the Union of Attica Police Employees who said the government is failing to rein in anarchists.

The ruling Radical Left SYRIZA has been accused by critics of looking the other way as anarchists rampage against a number of targets with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said to be looking to re-establish Leftist credentials after surrendering to European creditors in 2015 to get a third bailout, this one for 86 billion euros ($97.49 billion).

“We have long sounded the alarm over the unrestrained activities of sundry troublemakers, and every time, those in charge try to sweep the problem under the carpet and say we are exaggerating,” the union said.

“We call on those ‘in charge’ to protect and defend police officers so that they can protect society,” it added, saying the Citizens Protection Ministry has done essentially nothing to go after the troublemakers, particularly the notorious Rouvikonas anarchist group that has hit dozens of targets with no major arrests nor prosecutions.

The carnival attackers launched at least four Molotov cocktails at the Acropolis police precinct, damaging the building’s facade, two squad cars and an adjacent bakery. No injuries were reported, said Kathimerini.