It comes after more than a dozen police officers were assaulted across Friday evening and Saturday morning
There will be tougher sentences for those who assault police officers and other public servants, the Justice Minister has said.
Naomi Long said she intends to introduce legislation for higher sentences for assaulting “any person who is providing services to the public”.
It comes after more than a dozen police officers were assaulted across Friday evening and Saturday morning, including one who required hospital treatment for a bite injury.
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Two other police officers were injured when a car rammed their patrol vehicle in the Church Road in Forkhill in the early hours of Saturday.
In a statement, Ms Long said: “My first thoughts are with the PSNI officers who have been assaulted, as well as their colleagues and families. I hope all the injured officers make a full and speedy recovery.
“It is utterly unacceptable that any police officer should come under attack for simply doing their job.”
She said police officers have missed out on time with their loved ones to keep communities safe.
“An attack on the police is an attack on everyone; officers who are injured are unable to work, while damaged vehicles are taken off the road. This impacts on the ability of the police to respond to emergencies.
“One attack on a police officer is one attack too many.
“They demonstrate extraordinary courage daily, setting aside their own safety as they keep the rest of us safe, and I would like to pay tribute once again to officers and civilian staff for their work over the festive season.”
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