A police officer has been assaulted and a shop worker injured after glass was thrown by a man in business premises in south Belfast.
The man also attempted to bite the officer during the altercation at a shop in the Lombard Street area on Wednesday at around 2.15pm.
It came after police received a report that a man had attempted to sell a suspected stolen phone.
“The suspect became aggressive after the transaction was declined,” a PSNI spokeswoman said.
“He was asked to leave and broke the glass panel of the shop door – throwing pieces of the glass at staff members as he tried to get back in.
“One staff member sustained injuries from the glass being thrown.
“A short time later officers arrived at the scene and the 31-year-old suspect was detained and arrested on suspicion of theft, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and grievous bodily with intent.
“While being transported to custody, the man became aggressive again and assaulted an officer – and also attempted to bite them.
“He also spat on another officer.”
The PSNI spokeswoman said the man remains in custody on Wednesday night as “enquiries continue”.
“We’re keen to hear from anyone who may have CCTV, dash-cam or other footage of the Lombard Street area during this time and noticed what happened,” she added.
