Two more arrests over shooting attack on NI policeman

Detectives investigating the attempted murder of a policeman in Northern Ireland have made two more arrests.

The men, aged 30 and 39, were detained in west Belfast in connection with the petrol station forecourt shooting of a young officer in north Belfast.

A 36-year-old man arrested in the wake of Sunday's shooting remained in custody on Monday night.

The community officer was shot three times in the arm and commanders believe his body armour may have saved him from further harm.

Detectives believe rounds may have been fired from behind a fence across the road from the garage forecourt on the Crumlin Road on Sunday night as two officers emerged from the shop.

Dissident republicans have been blamed for the attack.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable George Hamilton spoke with the officer on Monday as he recovered from emergency surgery.

"He is in good spirits," he said.

"I never cease to be amazed by the bravery and the professionalism of police officers like him that I come across on a day-to-day basis."

Mr Hamilton said the victim was in a fairly serious condition and was injured on the right arm, suffering significant damage.

He spent three hours in an operating theatre overnight and is expected to undergo more surgery in the days ahead.

Mr Hamilton added: "I would condemn this despicable attack, this act of complete recklessness as the filling station out on the Crumlin Road was riddled with high-velocity gunfire last night at 7.30 when people were going about their normal business, going to fill their cars up with fuel and buy groceries for children's lunches."

He added: "Our police officers are citizens in uniform. This officer was a member of the community.

"He was attacked but other members of the community were at massive risk as well and the people who did this did not care who they murdered last night, albeit it was clear the attack was aimed at the police officers on duty."

Police have appealed for anyone who saw an Audi saloon car in the area at the time to contact them.

Dissident republicans have attempted to kill several members of the security forces in Northern Ireland in recent years.

Police, soldiers and prison officers have all died at their hands.