Two men are in police custody following a serious altercation in a communal area of flats on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast during the early hours of Friday. Officers used a Conducted Energy Device to disarm a man armed with a knife.

Police were called to Brookfield Mill flats shortly after midnight on June 5 after receiving reports of two men attacking each other with weapons. On arrival, they encountered a 44-year-old man with a head injury who was carrying a blade.

The man was subdued with a taser and arrested on suspicion of possession of a blade or point in a public place, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, assault, and disorderly behaviour.

A second man, aged 46, was arrested a short time later on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. Both men remained in custody as the investigation continued on Friday.

The Police Ombudsman’s Office has been informed of the taser deployment, as is standard procedure in such cases.

Detectives have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. They can be contacted at Musgrave on 101, quoting reference number 47 05/06/26. Reports can also be made online via the PSNI website or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.