Published Date: 08.09.2016

The Police Ombudsman’s Office is investigating an incident in Belfast City Centre involving police officers and a member of the public who is now in a critical condition in hospital.

It is understood that the incident happened at around 5 o’clock this morning near the Grand Opera House on Great Victoria Street.

Police were called to reports of a disturbance in which it is believed a man was involved in an altercation with taxi drivers.

During the incident police officers used CS Spray against the man who later became unwell. He received medical attention at the scene before being transferred to hospital.

Police Ombudsman investigators have been at the scene from early morning.

The area was cordoned off and a section of the road closed for a time, but is now being reopened.  Investigators have mapped and photographed the scene, CCTV footage has been recovered and enquiries are ongoing to acquire further footage.

A number of witnesses have been spoken to, but the Office has issued an appeal for anyone else who was in the area at the time and may have seen what happened, to contact them on the freephone witness appeal line, which is 0800 032 7880.

ENDS