An 18-year-old man has been arrested after two police officers were "savagely targeted" with a petrol bomb during rioting in Carrickfergus, County Antrim. The incident occurred on Tuesday night as disorder broke out across Northern Ireland and parts of Great Britain following a knife attack in Belfast.
Officers injured in attack
One of the police officers was taken to hospital after the petrol bomb was thrown while they were on public order duty, while the second officer was treated at the scene. Police confirmed that the 18-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of riot at an address in Carrickfergus and remains in custody as of Wednesday night.
Two additional police officers were also injured while tackling violence in Belfast on Tuesday night. Chief Superintendent Stephen Murray expressed relief that the officers in Carrickfergus were not more seriously hurt, warning that further arrests are expected in the coming days.
Police response and appeal
"Our officers were working to keep communities safe during disorder and were savagely targeted by a petrol bomb," Murray said. "It was fortunate they weren't more seriously hurt. No one should be injured for doing their job, particularly when that job is working all hours to keep people from harm."
Police have urged anyone with information to contact officers on 101 or 999 in an emergency, or submit a report online via the non-emergency reporting form at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
