Police officers struck and threatened in Co Antrim incident

By Rebecca Black, PA

A police officer was struck in the face and had a clump of hair pulled out while her colleague was pushed and threatened in an incident in Co Antrim.

The two officers had been responding to a report of theft in the Richmond Park area of Ballymena on Thursday.

A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of assault on police.

A police spokesperson said officers on patrol in the area at around 6pm had been told that a significant amount of meat had been stolen from a store in the area.

They explained: “When officers sighted the individuals involved, they attempted to make off on foot before being pursued.

“Two individuals were detained, a woman aged 32 and a man aged 40, before they subsequently assaulted the officers.

“One officer was struck in the face several times by the woman who used her handcuffs with force, and the same officer also had a clump of hair pulled out, including an injury to her ear and cuts to the head and mouth.

“The second officer involved was pushed a number of times by the arrested man, who also made a number of threats. Both individuals were arrested for assault on police, theft, and disorderly behaviour.

“A second man aged 40, who was also involved in the incident, was arrested for theft. All three individuals remain in police custody at this time.”

They added: “Our officers were working to keep people safe yesterday and in doing so, they were assaulted. To be assaulted the way they were and for one officer to sustain such injuries is disgusting.

“Thankfully, the two officers were able to remain on duty to see these individuals into custody, but the lasting impact these assaults can have on our officers can be long-term, and assaults on police must stop.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the local community who witnessed the incident for their assistance.”