Police officer attacks lowest in Ballymoney

In 2009/10 27 officers were assaulted in the borough and 28 in Moyle, this compares to 3,289 throughout Northern Ireland.

The area with the most attacks was north Belfast with 373, followed by south Belfast which had 311, then the Foyle district with 283.

DUP MLA Lord Morrow, chair of the Assembly's justice committee, said he was "horrified" at the figures.

"It's not acceptable in this day and age and I think there is a responsibility on society as a whole to give their full and unqualified support to the police," he said.

Lord Morrow received the figures after submitting a question to the justice minister.

"The area of lowest assaults was Ballymoney with 27, then Moyle with 28 and Castlereagh with 30," he added.

"Moyle unfortunately is sliding up the scale. In 2007/08 it had nine assaults, this almost doubled in 2008/09 and then again for 2009/10.

"The general trend however, with a few exceptions, shows an increase of assaults.

"I am keen to learn how these matters were dealt with through the courts, and have submitted a further question to the minister of justice to this effect."

A Ballymoney and Moyle police spokesperson said: “Officers within the PSNI are dedicated to providing an efficient and effect service to the people of Northern Ireland and it is particularly disheartening when they come under attack as they strive to protect the communities they serve.

“Such attacks are committed by mindless individuals who do not represent the majority of the population. Officers know their communities stand with them in condemnation of those responsible.

“We in turn can assure them that the PSNI will not be deterred by such attacks on our officers and will continue in our efforts to bring these criminals to justice and put them behind bars where they belong. “