Federation condemns ‘brutal and barbaric knife attack’ on PSNI officers

One officer sustained a stab injury and required hospital treatment. The other officer was attacked at chest height, but their protective vest prevented the weapon causing serious injury.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that one officer required stitches to his leg after he was stabbed.

Two other officers and a custody detention officer were also assaulted during the course of apprehending two aggressive males who have been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including attempted murder.

PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton, said: “During the early hours of Thursday morning (November 27) police were conducting enquiries in relation to a wanted person in the Collon Lane area of the city.

“One officer was speaking with a man at the property when he became aggressive, swinging out at him, and striking him to his face – resulting in a bloodied nose.

“Police attempted to arrest the suspect inside the flat, and due to his violent actions already demonstrated, it was necessary to deploy PAVA spray.

“The suspect refused to show his hands, and subsequently produced a knife and attempted to stab an officer to his torso.

“Had the officer not been wearing his protective body equipment, the consequences of this attack could have been far more serious.

“While the 21-year-old suspect was being detained, an officer suffered a stab wound to the leg – causing a laceration that required stitches in hospital. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of a number of offences.”

Mr Singleton added: “Officers entered the kitchen area of the flat and located another man who was wanted by police in relation to breach of bail.

“When police attempted to speak with the 20-year-old, he struck out at two officers with his hand. Once detained, he spat on an officers glasses and was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences.

“When taken to custody he spat again at an officer and assaulted a custody detention officer as he was taken to his cell.

“Following a search of the property a number of Class A, B and C drugs were also located and have now been removed for forensic examination.

“Both suspects remain in custody today as our enquiries continue – and these shameful attacks on our officers will be investigated rigorously.

“Officers put themselves on the front line to help keep people safe – they do not deserve to be assaulted for simply doing their job.

“The officer who was stabbed in the leg was very fortunate – this disgusting attack had the clear potential to cause life-changing or even fatal injuries.

“We are ensuring all the officers assaulted, including the custody officer, are being supported by colleagues and offered welfare services as they recover.

“Just last week we highlighted there were over 2,500 assaults on our officers and staff in the last 12 months– and now we are dealing with another violent attack. This is totally unacceptable, and must stop.”

PFNI treasurer Elaine McCormill said: “This is a shocking, brutal and barbaric attack on officers. They were set upon with a frightening viciousness.

“Two further officers supporting their colleagues were also physically attacked and spat upon by another assailant. This perpetrator later also physically attacked and spat upon a police staff whilst in the custody suite.

“We could be looking at a much more serious outcome today had it not been for the training, restraint and professionalism exercised by our officers.

“Only last week, we talked about the risks officers confront daily as they work to safeguard communities, apprehend lawbreakers and help vulnerable people. This latest attack was mindless and underlines the need for the entire community to come out and voice its support for officers.”

She added: “Our recent ‘Let Them Protect’ campaign sought to enlist the backing of the wider community and create greater awareness of the vital work our colleagues do. We are seeing some results, but this latest, very worrying, incident in Derry/Londonderry means there can be no letting up in our efforts to deal with potentially life-threatening assaults.

“I want to wish our colleagues well as they recover from this frightening ordeal.

“This Federation believes the full weight of the law should be brought down on attackers and that must mean meaningful sentences by the courts to serve as a deterrent and make would-be assailants think twice before lashing out at our colleagues.”