Eight Londonderry police officers were assaulted in the Northern Irish city in just one evening, the authorities have confirmed.
The officers were out responding to reports when the assaults took place on Wednesday, June 7.
Among the altercations experienced by the police officers including one being punched.
Another was spat on.
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The police confirmed that inquiries are ongoing, and that those arrested were done so on charges relating to assault on police, disorderly behaviour and criminal damage.
According to the local Donegal News, Inspector Campbell said: “Our officers are here to help, and respond to calls every day to assist people.
“Assaults on our officers are unacceptable, and must not be tolerated as simply being ‘part of the job’.”
In February, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said that assaults on officers had risen to a five-year high.
It noted that between April 2018 and March 2019, a total of 516 incidents were reported. In the same period between April 2021 and March 2022 there had been 911.
Head of Local Policing, Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said in February: “Police officers often step into the unknown, placing their lives at risk, to protect others and that should never be taken for granted.
“Being a police officer has always been a tough job, but being spat at and spat on, kicked, punched or bitten is not ‘part of the job’. Our officers are sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. They are public servants, but they’re not punch bags.”
