Two PSNI Officers Injured, Five Vehicles Damaged in West Belfast Car Meet Attack

Two police officers were injured and five police vehicles were damaged after a large crowd attacked the Police Service of Northern Ireland during a vehicle event in west Belfast on Tuesday evening.

The Details

PSNI said officers were attending the Stewartstown Road and Colin area from around 7:30pm local time following reports of crowds gathering, cars driving erratically, and scrambler bikes being ridden dangerously.

During the event, a large crowd attacked officers with bottles, masonry, and other missiles, according to police reports cited by RTÉ. Two officers were injured in the confrontation, and five police vehicles were damaged. The Irish Times reported that the officers remained on duty following the incident.

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service personnel were also attacked after a fire was started in the area, according to The Journal. The responders subsequently withdrew from the scene for their own safety.

Footage circulating on social media showed cars driving erratically while crowds gathered in the Colin area of west Belfast during the event. Images also showed a young person standing on a PSNI riot van, The Journal reported.

Context

The violence erupted in the Stewartstown Road and Colin area of west Belfast, a district that has previously experienced public order incidents linked to unauthorized vehicle gatherings.

In a statement following the disorder, PSNI said the attacks caused destruction within the local community. "Those who choose to get involved in this type of disorder are causing destruction within their own community," the force said.

PSNI's Air Support Unit was deployed during the incident and gathered evidence that police say will be used to identify participants. The force warned that individuals identified in the footage would face consequences.

"There will be consequences, by way of proactive arrests, for those identified as being involved," PSNI said in a follow-up statement.

What's Next

PSNI said inquiries are continuing and that evidence gathered by its Air Support Unit will be reviewed to identify those involved in the disorder.

The force has warned that proactive arrests will follow for individuals identified from the evidence collected during the incident. No arrests had been announced at the time of publication.

The investigation remains active under PSNI oversight in Northern Ireland.