Officers hurt in crowd attack

Acting Superintendent Peter Farrar said it was an unprovoked attack

It is feared a police officer has been left scarred for life after his face was hit with a bottle during an attack by a crowd of up to 200 people in west Belfast.

The incident happened on Sunday evening when the police went into the Falls Park to recover a stolen car which had been abandoned there.

They came under attack from a large crowd of disorderly youths who threw missiles at their landrovers.

As they tried to withdraw from the area, several of the youths tried to get into the police vehicles.

It is understood a first aid box was stolen.

Five officers were taken to hospital where one received stitches to his face.

Another officer sustained injuries to his hand while the other three were treated for cuts and bruises.

A 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

It is deplorable that police should come under attack when they are working to prevent car crimes taking place Alex Attwood SDLP councillors

Acting Superintendent Peter Farrar said the officers were going about their duty when they were confronted by the hostile crowd.

"This was a totally unprovoked vicious attack on everyday police officers who were trying to recover a car which had been involved in a theft and dangerous driving and then they are attacked by a drunken mob of up to 200 people," he said.

"It was totally unnecessary resulting in five officers who were badly injured.

There is no call for this in somewhere like west Belfast where we are trying to assist and serving the community to the best of our ability."

The incident was condemned by SDLP west Belfast councillor Alex Attwood, who witnessed the trouble.

"I witnessed part of this incident last night and there was no doubt that, on this occasion, the police showed determination and fortitude in frustrating the car thieves," he said.

"Their actions were in stark contrast with the behaviour of the group of young people in Falls Park last night who showed no regard for public safety.

"Car crime has devastated families living in west Belfast and it is deplorable that police should come under attack when they are working to prevent car crimes taking place."

Meanwhile, two people were arrested following disturbances in the Broadway Roundabout/Glenmachan Street area of Belfast on Sunday.