'Shameful': Twenty NI police officers attacked in 24 hours

The assaults happened between Friday evening of the 13 December and Saturday morning of the 14 December.

A total of 20 police officers have been injured while on duty over a 24-hour period in Northern Ireland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said.

These incidents took place between Friday evening, 13 December and Saturday morning, 14 December.

Some of the officers sustained serious injuries that required medical treatment.

The figures come just days after it was revealed that a total of 58 police officers have been injured as a result of ramming incidents in the past year.

Supt Rosie Thompson said that two officers were injured as a result of a deliberate patrol vehicle ramming in Concession Road, Crossmaglen, after a VW Golf "attempted to put the patrol car off the road".

"Shockingly, one of the injured officers has been involved in five prior police vehicle rammings," she said.

Both officers were unable to remain on duty and the patrol vehicle is now not road worthy.

'Spat at and sustained limb injuries'

Vehicles rammings in the last year have left 58 officers injured

An officer in Newry is also being treated for a serious thumb injury after being assaulted while responding to a disturbance. He was also kicked by the suspect.

Another officer based in Newry sustained a suspected broken nose and his three colleagues were injured while responding to a domestic-related report in Mountnorris, south Armagh.

These officers were spat at and sustained limb injuries when attempting to make an arrest.

Meanwhile, four officers sustained minor injuries across the Craigavon area while responding to two separate reports.

In the Derrygonnelly area of Fermanagh, four officers were injured after a man became aggressive while being placed into a van.

In Londonderry, three officers were assaulted after stopping a man who was suspected of being involved in a previous assault.

While being arrested he kicked out at the officers, injuring them to their chest, chin and lower body.

In north Belfast, officers were responding to a report of an assault when the suspect lunged towards an officer in an attempt to head-butt him. he also shouted offensive language.

Officers were responding to a domestic-related report in the west Belfast area when an officer was struck on the chest.

Where did the assaults happen?

Londonderry - three

Belfast - two

Crossmaglen - two

Newry - one

Fermanagh - four

Mountnorris, south Armagh - four

Craigavon - four

Supt Thompson said: "We will investigate these shameful and unacceptable attacks rigorously. These are just some of the examples to highlight the risks our officers face every day.

"Our officers are here to help, and respond to calls assisting people, keeping them safe.

"Assaults on police are unacceptable, and must not be tolerated as simply being 'part of the job'."