Published Sunday, 05 February 2012
Police were called to the Kilwilkie Estate at around 2am on Sunday after a man locked himself in a house with two children aged one and three years old.
The man slashed the officer on the back of his head when he tried to get inside the house.
The officer was taken to hospital where his condition is described as stable.
A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The two children were uninjured in the incident.
Whilst police were attending the scene they were attacked with petrol bombs and bricks before the trouble quietened down at 4am.
PSNI Superintendent Jason Murphy said: "I have nothing but praise for the actions of the brave officers who responded to this call.
"He and the others who attended responded to a call for help during a busy time.
"Their main priority was to ensure the safety of all those involved, particularly the two young children in the house.
"They did this with no thought for their own safety and with self restraint and professionalism.
"These are the officers who are keeping our community safe.
"It was more than disappointing to see those officers come under attack and the actions of those who threw petrol bombs and bricks can only be condemned," he said.
Local Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd has praised the police.
He said: "Let's put this into perspective, a small number of individuals attacked the police and it's up to them to answer as why they done that.
"The police were here serving the community, the officer who was injured was here serving the community and indeed those officers rescued young people from a very violent incident and they should be commended for it.
"They should not have been attacked and I've no doubt that the vast majority of people in the community would share that point of view.
"Those officers should not have been attacked," he said.
Chairman of the Policing Board, Brian Rea, praised the work of the police officers.
He said: "In protecting the public from harm police officers frequently put themselves at serious risk.
"Unfortunately, in trying to ensure the safety of two young children at a house in the Lurgan area in the early hours of this morning, an officer received serious head injuries.
"Thankfully the children were unhurt and on behalf of all Board Members I wish the officer a full and speedy recovery.
"Disturbingly other officers who remained in the area after the incident occurred were attacked with petrol bombs, bricks and bottles.
"This type of behaviour is totally unacceptable and I strongly condemn those who took part in this violence," he said.