Officers injured in crowd attacks

Police officers have been injured in separate attacks in west Belfast and Cushendall in County Antrim.

Officers in Cushendall were surrounded by a crowd of up to 50 people as they tried to make an arrest in the Bridge Street area shortly after midnight.

Police were also attacked by 40 people in Andersonstown at 0200 BST while investigating reports of men armed with baseball bats near South Link.

It is understood officers used CS spray to disperse crowds in both incidents.

One of three officers hurt in the attack in Cushendall is being treated in hospital for cuts, bruises and a suspected broken nose.

Another officer who was hurt in west Belfast received hospital treatment for a suspected broken wrist after being punched and kicked to the ground.

One man arrested in Cushendall is being questioned about assault and public order offences, while another man is also being held in connection with the attack in west Belfast.

When police officers move in to deal with an issue of law and order they are turned upon in this vicious way Mervyn Storey DUP

Sinn Fein councillor Oliver McMullan has claimed he was attacked by police as he tried to stop trouble between residents and officers in Cushendall.

Mr McMullan alleged that he was hit with batons and sprayed with CS gas during the disturbance.

He has called for the Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan, to investigate what happened and also claimed children were caught up in the violence.

"I had one young boy of 14 who was on his way to get chips when he was sprayed in the face with CS gas, now that is quite serious," he said.

"We need to get this whole thing investigated, I would like to know what this attempted arrest was all about."

However, DUP assembly member Mervyn Storey said cuts to police resources were to blame.

He said despite all the "concessions that have been given to republicans on the issue of policing" they were "still not satisfied".

"When police officers move in to deal with an issue of law and order they are turned upon in this vicious way," he said.

"The other issue that is gravely concerning me... is the fact that the police had not the adequate resources to be able to deal with the situation and we have officers that now have been injured as a result of this."