Northern Ireland

Three PSNI officers suffer minor injuries in assault during suspected drugs arrest

Officers were assaulted in Newtownards area after detaining suspect

Police said they worked closely with the National Crime Agency and authorities in the Netherlands
Police said they worked closely with the National Crime Agency and authorities in the Netherlands (Niall Carson/PA)

Three police officers have sustained minor injuries during the arrest of a man in Co Down on suspicion of drug offences.

The incident happened in the Victoria Avenue area of Newtownards in the early hours of Wednesday.

A 20-year-old man was detained in the area by officers from the PSNI’s local policing team in order to conduct a drug search.

He became “violent”, a PSNI spokesperson said, and he was subsequently arrested for three counts of assault on police.

He was also arrested on suspicion of possessing controlled drugs when officers found suspected Class B and C drugs on his person.

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The man remained in custody on Wednesday.



PSNI Superintendent Johnston McDowell said: “Whilst in attendance, three officers sustained minor injuries after being assaulted by this individual. This is not acceptable and I must reiterate the message that assaults on police will not be tolerated.

”We continue to appeal to anyone who witnesses anything unusual, or out of the ordinary, particularly where drugs may be concerned, to call us on 101 or if it’s an emergency, call 999. Your information can and does make a difference.”