PSNI District Commander Condemns 'Shameful Attacks' On Officers

PSNI District Commander, Superintendent Norman Haslett, has condemned a series of "shameful attacks" on police officers in Newry, Mourne and Down.

Seventeen police officers have been injured in attacks during the course of their duties in December across the District, with three police officers assaulted at Daisy Hill Hospital in the latest attack this week.

District Commander, Superintendent Norman Haslett has spoken out to condemn each attack describing them as "shameful and unacceptable".

He said: "In what other job would this happen? These are men and women who are working hard to keep their communities safe and this is how they are treated?

"While we come to work knowing we could be faced with difficult and dangerous situations, it is completely unacceptable that our officers should be assaulted and verbally berated in the most shocking ways for simply doing their jobs."

In one weekend alone in December, six constables were punched, kicked and headbutted. Some required hospital treatment and small number had to take some time off work to heal from their injuries.

In this most recent attack, a man lashed out at police within Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry on Wednesday 4th January, around 4.45am.

"This was a particularly nasty assault. Two officers were bitten on the leg and one punched in the face, blood was also spat into the faces of two officers," said Superintendent Haslett.

"Our officers were seen by medical staff and, thankfully, their injuries were not more serious and they feel well enough to remain on duty.

"But it highlights our message that all assaults on emergency service workers - be that a nurse, doctor, paramedic or police officer - are serious offences and there are serious consequences. Six people have been charged to court already and risk jail time for these assaults on our officers in December. And a man has been reported to the Public Prosecution Service following this hospital attack on three counts of assault on police and criminal damage.

"Assaults on our officers are unacceptable, and will not be tolerated."