North: 'Attacks on medical staff must stop'

West Belfast SDLP councillor Margaret Walsh called on attacks on the emergency services to stop immediately.

She said: “An attack on our emergency services is an attack on the whole community. The fire services, ambulances and indeed the police all exist to serve the lives of others.

“Those who threaten the safety of emergency workers do not represent anyone and must be stopped.”

A female paramedic required hospital treatment after ambulance crews and police officers came under attack last night in Belfast.

Police investigating a hit-and-run at Springfield Heights in the Ballymurphy area of west Belfast went to a house to arrest a man in connection with the incident.

A 50-year-old woman had been taken to hospital with head and chest injuries after being struck by a maroon car before 10pm yesterday.

When officers arrived at the house in Lincoln Square, both they and paramedics who had also been called out were attacked by a number of residents.

One man was arrested at the scene in connection with the hit-and-run incident and for assault.

A car was removed from the area for forensic examination.