A 42-year-old man has been arrested after a reported assault and a two-hour stand-off in north Belfast in the early hours of Tuesday, during which seven cars were damaged and an officer was injured. Police received a report shortly after 00:00 BST on Tuesday that a woman had been assaulted at a house on Lepper Street.
What happened at the house on Lepper Street?
When officers arrived at the scene, they spoke to a woman and another man, both of whom had facial injuries. The suspect was found in a wardrobe in the property, where he threatened officers with a knife and forced them to withdraw to protect the other man and woman.
An Armed Response Unit and a trained negotiator were sent to the scene. The suspect then climbed onto the roof, threw the knife at officers, and began removing and throwing roof tiles in their direction.
An incapacitant spray was used to subdue the man, but he continued to throw the tiles. As a result, an officer was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured arm. With the help of a trained negotiator, the man was brought down from the roof and detained at about 02:20.
What has police said about the damage?
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said "considerable damage" was caused to the property and that seven vehicles were "substantially damaged". Five of the vehicles belonged to the police and two were owned by uninvolved members of the public.
The man was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and assault on police. A police investigation is underway and enquiries continue in the area on Tuesday.
What concerns have officers raised?
PSNI Insp Knowles said the man's actions "placed officers and nearby members of the public at risk".
There was the potential to cause life-changing or even fatal injury to those present,
he added.
Police are appealing for anyone with footage or information to come forward.
Key Facts
- A 42-year-old man was arrested after a reported assault and a two-hour stand-off in north Belfast.
- Police were called shortly after 00:00 BST on Tuesday to a house on Lepper Street.
- Seven cars were damaged, including five police vehicles and two privately owned cars.
- An officer was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured arm.
- The man was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and assault on police.
