A police officer suffered severe head injuries today after a patrol was attacked by a mob in west Belfast last night.
Up to 40 people hurled bricks, bottles and stones at a five-strong police patrol as they tried to arrest a suspected drunk driver on the Springfield Road.
A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman said the attack was at close quarters, forcing officers to defend themselves in hand to hand fighting.
A number of officers were wounded, with one struck on the head with a missile.
Due to the ferocity of the attack, the police were unable to arrest the driver.
The PSNI spokesman claimed it was the third time police have been attacked in west Belfast, where many are still opposed to the new force.
"This is an act of criminality by people who hold no regard for the rule of law or for their own community as a suspected drunk driver in this case was able to escape," he said.
"The police will continue to serve the community in west Belfast and would ask for their support at this time when both police and public are trying to combat car-related crime."
PA