A police officer suffered injuries to his knee and hand early Monday when a vehicle he had stopped on the Whiterock Road in west Belfast drove off and struck him.

Patrols were being conducted around Falls Park as part of public safety operations during the Féile an Phobail festival. Officers noticed a car swerving across the road and narrowly missing pedestrians.

The vehicle was brought to a halt, but the driver then accelerated away, hitting one officer on his right side.

The car left Belfast and was later located by police in the Tobar Glen Crescent area of Glengormley, County Antrim.

A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, failing to remain at the scene of an injury collision, failing to report an injury accident, and possession of a Class B controlled drug.

He remains in police custody.

The PSNI has appealed for anyone with dash-cam, CCTV, or other footage to contact them on 101, quoting reference number 21 of 10/08/26. Reports can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.