Man arrested after officers injured responding to attempted theft
Two Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers were assaulted while responding to an attempted theft in south Belfast.
One required hospital treatment for facial injuries in what the PSNI described as a “completely unacceptable” assault.
A man in his forties has been arrested in connection with the incident.
Sergeant Rooney said: “We received a report shortly before 11.55am on Thursday morning (September 5), of a man attempting to steal a bicycle in the Castle Street area of the city.
“On officers’ arrival, the man was armed with a weapon and was acting in an erratic and aggressive manner.
“Two officers were injured when they approached the suspect – one of whom required hospital treatment for facial injuries. Both of these officers were unable to remain on duty.
“Assaults on police and emergency staff are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated as simply being ‘part of the job’.”
Sgt Rooney added: “The man, aged in his forties, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including assault on police, resisting police, going equipped for theft, criminal damage and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.
“He remains in custody at present as inquiries continue into our investigation.”
The PSNI said it is appealing to anyone who may have been in the Castle Street area during the time-frame of the incident to contact the police.