Attacks on police in Londonderry and Strabane that left nine officers injured have been described as “disgraceful” by Northern Ireland’s justice minister.

Police said the officers were injured during a 48-hour period over the weekend.

Officers were head-butted and kicked- while one was threatened with a knife and subjected to “racial and sectarian abuse”.

Naomi Long said that officers being attacked in the course of their duties was “appalling”.

“I unreservedly condemn these disgraceful attacks on police officers in Strabane and Derry this weekend,” Long said.

She added: “The police are here to serve us all and keep us safe. It is appalling that they would be attacked during the course of their duties.

“There is no place in our society for such actions and those responsible will be pursued and brought to justice,” the minister said.

On Sunday Ch Insp Luke Moyne said all of the officers remained on duty which was a “testimony to their resilience” during the “difficult challenges” they faced.

He said one officer was punched in the face while during another callout a woman ran towards an officer with a knife.

Other officers were also reportedly head-butted and kicked, with blood also being spat at them.

Two more officers were also assaulted when attending a large fight in Derry city centre involving a crowd.

During another incident an officer sprained her wrist while restraining a man and another officer was kicked in the head.

“All of these shameful attacks will be investigated rigorously,” he added.

Speaking on BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme on Monday, Foyle Democratic Unionist Party MLA Gary Middleton said the attacks were “utterly shameful”.

“The unfortunate reality is the respect is just not there for the PSNI. This would not be tolerated if this was the fire service or ambulance service for example – the PSNI deserve the same respect.”

Middleton added: “Unfortunately there is this perception within the community that those who go out to harm police officers aren’t receiving the punishment they deserve.”

Mr Middleton said he would be raising the attacks both in the Assembly on Monday and also with the chair of Stormont’s justice committee.

Liam Kelly of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland backed calls for tougher sentencing for anyone found guilty of attacking police.

He described what happened in the north west over the weekend as “appalling behaviour” that points to “intolerance and hatred”.

“What happened over a 48-hour period in the north west is but the tip of the iceberg,” he said.

“Weekends, in particular, bring out the worst in some people who turn their anger on our men and women. They think it’s ok to target officers, to interfere in the lawful exercise of their duty and inflict injury.”

He said the courts must take ” a no-nonsense approach”

“A strong, forceful message has to go out to attackers and others that they will pay a heavy price if they attack our officers,” Mr Kelly said.

He added: “Custodial sentences are required to drive home the seriousness of assaulting a police officer.”