Officers taken to hospital following separate assaults

PA Media Two PSNI officers have their backs to the camera. They have on yellow police coats and black body armour that says 'police' on the back.PA Media
Two police officers required hospital treatment following assaults in Belfast

Two police officers required hospital treatment after sustaining injuries during separate incidents in Belfast on Saturday.

One of the officers sustained a fractured wrist after he was kicked in the arm while attending a report of a fight at retail premises on Ardoyne Avenue at 19:35 BST, police said.

In a separate incident, an hour later, an officer was bitten in the University Street area of south Belfast after attending an ongoing fight between a number of men.

Three men have been arrested in connection with the two incidents and remain in custody.

'Courage and professionalism'

In a statement, Supt Dornan from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said officers "do not deserve to be assaulted simply for doing their job".

"These incidents highlight the grim reality of the shameful behaviour which we run the risk of being confronted with every time we attend a call.

"I commend the courage and professionalism of the injured officers. Their welfare is being supported and they are receiving the appropriate care.

"These local officers put themselves in harm's way to protect others. We are extremely proud of the way they, and all our officers, serve the public each and every day."