Station attack officer 'awake'

The female officer was attacked inside Lisburn police station

A policewoman who was attacked inside a County Antrim police station has regained consciousness.

She suffered serious head injuries when she was attacked by a man with an iron bar at Lisburn police station.

The 54-year-old officer is now understood to be awake and speaking to her family and able to take small amounts of food and water.

Doctors are describing her condition as ''ill but stable''.

The alleged attacker has been committed to secure accommodation under the Mental Health Act.

The women was in an office shortly before 0200 BST on Monday when she was hit on the head with an iron bar.

Assault

Two other police officers who intervened were also injured - one has facial injuries which required stitches.

Following an examination by doctors, the man was committed to secure accommodation and the police said they were liaising closely with medical professionals while he was being assessed.

Police said the man, who had been waiting in the police station, gained access to a private part of the building where the assault took place.

A senior officer said the man had been in the station for three or four hours before the attack.