Police in west Belfast have charged a 35-year-old man to court following the report of a burglary in Dunmurry on Wednesday 31st December.

Chief Inspector Gibson said: "At approximately 2:00am, we received a report of a male attempting to gain entry into houses and cars in the area of Old Golf Course Park.

"On officer attendance, the man made off through a wooded area behind houses, causing police to give chase over challenging and potentially dangerous terrain with a river running through it in complete darkness. 

"The suspect was detained a short time later and on arrest he proceeded to assault five police officers. 

"He has since been charged with burglary, attempted burglary and six counts of assaults on police.

"He was expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 31st December."