Police attacked during operation

A crowd gathered and missiles were thrown at police

Police have been attacked with missiles and fireworks during an operation in the Ballymurphy area of west Belfast.

Officers responded to a report that a masked gang armed with wooden bats had taken a young man from a house.

The incident took place shortly before 1930 BST at a house in Rockdale Street. The 19-year-old was put into a car which made off towards Whiterock Road.

Police found the man at Bog Meadows. He had been assaulted and was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg.

Shortly before 2000 BST, officers stopped a car in the Funnel area of Ballymurphy and arrested a man.

A wooden bat and iron bars were recovered, a PSNI spokesman said.

In a follow-up operation, a firearm was recovered from a car at Ballymurphy Road.

A crowd gathered and missiles were thrown at police.

Two women were also later arrested in relation to the assault on the man.