Almost 20 PSNI officers and staff injured while on duty across single policing district at the weekend
In one incident alone, twelve officers were assaulted while arresting a man
Almost 20 police officers and staff were injured while on duty in a single policing district in Northern Ireland at the weekend.
The PSNI say the attacks in Armagh, Banbridge, and Craigavon mark the latest in a series of “shameful attacks” on officers.
In one incident alone, twelve officers were assaulted while arresting a man in Lurgan.
Police say he began “lashing out at officers landing kicks to their legs, as well as spitting, punching and attempting to headbutt them”. Police say “the behaviour continued for some time with assaults to the custody sergeant and civilian detention officers on arrival at Banbridge Custody Suite”.
In total, 18 police officers and staff were injured during the course of their duties in Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon at the weekend. This was during the three separate arrests of three men.
Chief Inspector Brendan Green condemned each attack describing them as "shameful and unacceptable".
"In what other job would this happen? Our officers and staff are working hard to keep their communities safe and do not deserve this treatment," he said.
“While we come to work knowing we could be faced with difficult and dangerous situations, it is completely unacceptable that our officers should be assaulted and verbally berated in the most shocking ways for simply doing their jobs.”
“Our officers have received welfare support and, thankfully, their injuries were not more serious and they felt well enough to remain on duty. “
“But it highlights our message that all assaults on emergency service workers - be that a nurse, doctor, paramedic or police officer - are serious offences and there are serious consequences. Two of these men have been charged to court with one released on police bail to allow for further investigation.”
"Assaults on our officers are unacceptable, and will not be tolerated."