PSNI officer injured by suspected stolen car

GERRY MORIARTY Northern Editor

A PSNI officer is being treated in hospital after he was injured in an incident involving a suspected stolen car in west Belfast early this morning.

The officer suffered chest injuries when he tried to arrest the driver of a stolen car in car park of the Suffolk Inn around 3.10 am, it is understood.

The incident arose from a silver Renault Megane, believed to have been stolen, failing to stop for police in the Andersonstown Road area of west Belfast at approximately 2.50 am.

The vehicle was later located in the car park of the Suffolk Inn. It is believed that the officer tried to open the door of the car but that the driver drove the car against another vehicle crushing the policeman. He was taken to hospital. His injuries are understood not to be life-threatening.

Two men, aged 27 and 19, were arrested following the incident. PSNI detectives believe that a hijacking of a red Vauxhall Corsa in the Locan Street area at approximately 2.10 am is linked to this incident.

PSNI spokesman said: "The male driver of a car slowed down to check on a man that was lying on the ground. When he stopped, another man told him to get out of the car and the two men made off in the direction of Beechmount Avenue. This car was later recovered in the Hannahstown Hill area."

Police have appealed for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.