Officer hurt in attack on police

Up to 30 people have attacked police in west Belfast, the PSNI has said.

It happened as they were responding to reports of a stolen vehicle being driven erratically in the Albert Street area of the Lower Falls.

When officers arrived at the scene at about 0130 GMT on Wednesday. The occupants fled on foot. One man was arrested.

Afterwards, police were surrounded by a crowd who threw bricks and bottles. A policeman was injured in the leg.

The attack has been condemned by Chief Inspector Ken Cameron.

He said: "It is disgraceful in a civil society that my officers are attacked when trying to arrest criminals that had stolen a car and were driving it in a highly dangerous manner.

"These are the people that the communities want to see being brought to justice, and yet there is still a small element, intent on violence, who will attack and injure my officers when they are trying to do their job."

Police are appealing for anyone who may have any information, or who may have witnessed the incident, to come forward.