Two police officers were viciously attacked in a UK city street while responding to a call regarding a wanted individual. Law enforcement authorities have confirmed that two men have been apprehended on suspicion of attempted murder following the assault on the PSNI officers during an arrest attempt.
One officer sustained a stab wound to the leg and was transported to a hospital for medical attention, while the other officer, who was stabbed in the chest, was equipped with protective gear that shielded them from serious injury. Additionally, another officer and a custody officer were also assaulted during the incident.
Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton stated that the altercation occurred during the early hours of Thursday, November 27, as police were investigating a wanted individual in the Collon Lane area of the city. The officer engaged in a conversation with a man at a property, which escalated into aggression as the man struck the officer in the face, causing a bloody nose.
Following the confrontation, police endeavored to arrest the suspect within the premises, resorting to the use of PAVA spray due to the suspect’s violent behavior. The suspect, brandishing a knife, attempted to stab an officer in the torso after refusing to comply with instructions. Fortunately, the officer’s protective gear prevented a more severe outcome. Subsequently, a 21-year-old suspect was detained, and an officer sustained a leg injury that necessitated hospital treatment and led to the suspect’s arrest.
Upon further investigation within the flat, authorities discovered another individual wanted for breach of bail. The 20-year-old suspect resisted police interaction, physically assaulting two officers and spitting on one officer’s glasses. Following his arrest on suspicion of various offenses, the suspect continued to exhibit violent behavior by spitting at an officer during custody processing and assaulting a custody detention officer while being escorted to his cell. Additionally, a search of the property uncovered Class A, B, and C drugs, which were seized for forensic analysis.
Both suspects are currently in police custody as investigations proceed, with a firm commitment to thoroughly examine these reprehensible attacks on law enforcement officers. Deputy Chief Constable Singleton highlighted that police officers have encountered over 2,500 assaults in the past year, emphasizing the fortunate outcome for the stabbed officer. The Police Federation of Northern Ireland, representing frontline officers, also condemned the assault.