Spray used after officers assaulted responding to knife attack report

Police had to use an "incapacitant spray," during the arrest of a man who was alleged to have been involved in a knife attack in north Belfast.

The man, in his 40s, drove into a police vehicle whilst attempting to leave the area on a motorbike.

Police arrived in Northwick Drive on Monday after getting a call just before 01:40 BST reporting a knife attack involving three men, who were alleged to have been fighting. It was alleged that two of them had blades. Two women reported that violent threats had been made towards them.

PSNI Insp Montgomery said a number of officers were assaulted at the scene, but were able to remain on duty.

As officers arrived they saw a man, believed to have been involved, leaving the area on a motorbike, which initially stopped, but then the rider attempted to make off, driving into the side of the police car, before running on foot towards Alliance Avenue.

The PSNI said officers were able to catch up with the man, who "did not comply with instruction and became aggressive".

It was then that, in "order to reduce the risk of injury", that the spray was deployed in order to "calm the situation".

No-one was seriously injured.

The man was arrested on suspicion of a number offences including possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, aggravated vehicle taking and driving away, and threats to kill and assault on police.

He remains in custody.