Two police officers injured responding to reports of south Belfast bike theft

Two police officers have been assaulted in south Belfast whilst responding to an attempted theft.

It happened just before midday in the Castle Street area of the city.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “We received a report shortly before 11.55am this morning, Thursday 5th September, 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’.”

A man in his 40s was arrested