Police officers rush to the scene after an officer is shot on the Crumlin Road on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Police officers rush to the scene after an officer is shot on the Crumlin Road on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Police officers rush to the scene after an officer is shot on the Crumlin Road on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Police officers rush to the scene after an officer is shot on the Crumlin Road on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Police officers rush to the scene after an officer is shot on the Crumlin Road on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Police officers rush to the scene after an officer is shot on the Crumlin Road on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Police officers rush to the scene after an officer is shot on the Crumlin Road on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Police officers rush to the scene after an officer is shot on the Crumlin Road on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Police officers rush to the scene after an officer is shot on the Crumlin Road on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Police officers rush to the scene after an officer is shot on the Crumlin Road on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Police officers rush to the scene after an officer is shot on the Crumlin Road on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

The scene at a petrol station on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast where an on duty PSNI officer was shot in the arm from a passing car on Sunday evening.

Police officers rush to the scene after an officer is shot on the Crumlin Road on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

ACC Mark Hamilton holds a press conference after an officer is shot in North Belfast on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

the scene at a petrol station on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast where an on duty PSNI officer was shot in the arm from a passing car on Sunday evening.

The silver Audi believed to be used by the gunmen as a getaway car on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Police officers rush to the scene after an officer is shot on the Crumlin Road on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

A north Belfast gun attack that injured a PSNI officer was a planned operation with automatic gunfire sprayed across a garage forecourt, the chief constable has said. The attack took place on the Crumlin Road in Belfast. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

A uniformed police officer has been shot in north Belfast.

It happened on Sunday night at around 7.30pm at Edenderry filling station on the Crumlin Road.

The PSNI officer hit in the arm after a number of shots were fired.

The officer was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where he is in a stable condition and is undergoing surgery.

Expand Close The silver Audi believed to be used by the gunmen as a getaway car on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook

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Whatsapp The silver Audi believed to be used by the gunmen as a getaway car on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

The Crumlin Road has been closed while officers investigate.

PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton said it was a "completely reckless" attack.

He told the BBC: "This is an attack on the entire community, people walking from the forecourt to their cars with bullets whizzing round them and striking the garage forecourt - completely reckless."

Speaking on Sunday night just hours after the attack happened PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said their main line of enquiry is violent dissident republicans .

A 36-year-old man was arrested on Sunday night.

He said: "It is totally unnecessary, appalling and needs to be condemned by all sides of this community."

Mr Hamilton appealed for anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area to come forward to police immediately.

"Particularly if you saw an Audi type vehicle at the filling station around 7.30pm. Did you see anyone suspicious? Did you hear the shots? Did you see anyone running away?

"This wasn't just an attack upon the police, it was very clearly an attack upon the community, other lives could easily have been lost tonight.

Expand Close ACC Mark Hamilton holds a press conference after an officer is shot in North Belfast on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook

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Whatsapp ACC Mark Hamilton holds a press conference after an officer is shot in North Belfast on 22th January 2017 (Photo - Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

"Wreckless madness, we assure everyone that every resource we have will be turned to face this now."

Northern Ireland Secretary of State James Brokenshire said he has spoken with the Chief Constable and has been briefed on an "active investigation'" into the attack.

Chairman of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) Mark Lindsay confirmed the officer was shot in the arm during a terrorist gun attack.

Live from Musgrave St as a police officer is shot in north Belfast

https://t.co/MZaXBICPqV — Kevin Scott (@Kscott_94) January 22, 2017

The PFNI represents all rank and file officers.

Mr Lindsay said: "This is an appalling act, and I wish to condemn it in the strongest possible terms.

"This attack on the life of an officer is a stark reminder of the determination on the part of terrorists to murder and maim police officers.

Utterly condemn the shooting of a police officer in North Belfast - the work of cowards. Praying they make a full recovery. — Arlene Foster (@DUPleader) January 22, 2017

A police officer has been shot in the arm on the Crumlin Rd. Those involved are the same people attacking our local community. STOP! — Gerry Kelly (@GerryKellyMLA) January 22, 2017

PSNI Officer shot on Crumlin Road. Thoughts are with officer for full recovery and with family and friends. We must find a way to end this — Mike Nesbitt (@mikenesbittni) January 22, 2017

Sickening that a police officer has been shot in Belfast. Thoughts are with him, his family & @PoliceServiceNI #Cowardly&reprehensible — Claire Sugden MLA (@ClaireSugden) January 22, 2017

SofS @JBrokenshire: I am shocked and appalled at this evening's cowardly shooting of a police officer on the Crumlin Road. — NIO (@NIOPressOffice) January 22, 2017

(Cont) @JBrokenshire: To attack officers who are going about their daily duty protecting the entire community is sickening. — NIO (@NIOPressOffice) January 22, 2017

I condemn tonight's shooting in North Belfast & injury to PSNI officer. No excuse for such criminality. I wish the officer a full recovery. pic.twitter.com/MCLDjvhkbt — Charlie Flanagan (@CharlieFlanagan) January 22, 2017

I appeal to anyone who has information about the shooting to contact the PSNI immediately. My thoughts are with the officer and his family. — James Brokenshire (@JBrokenshire) January 22, 2017

"They believe that by causing great grief to a family they are somehow advancing their warped and outdated plan. The wider community will be outraged by this attack on one of their police officers.

"The police serve the entire community and wounding one individual is an attack on the entire community."

He said the attack underlined the fragility of the peace.

"It's one reason why the threat level here remains classed 'severe' which means a terrorist attack is highly likely.

"Officers already exercise great vigilance and I would appeal to them to remain at high alert."

DUP leader Arlene Foster said the attack was the "work of cowards".

She tweeted: "Utterly condemn the shooting of a police officer in north Belfast - the work of cowards.

"Praying they make a full recovery."

REACTION:

North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds said the incident was "deeply disturbing".

He said: “This is a deeply disturbing incident which echoes back to the kind of terrorism we used to face on a daily basis. My thoughts are with the officer who has been injured and I pray that the injuries sustained are not life-threatening and they can make a full recovery.

"These are scenes that we should all want to move away from in Northern Ireland. We must be mindful how a threat to the future of the political institutions can create a vacuum, which terrorists such as these will seek to fill.

"We must all stand against those who wish to use treats, intimidation and violence to further their political ends. It is vital we all stand against such activity and work to move Northern Ireland forward.”

SDLP north Belfast MLA Nichola Mallon said those responsible are calculating criminals intent on destabilising a community which continues to make strides toward reconciliation.

She said: "My thoughts this evening are with the police officer who was shot as he performed his duty, keeping our community safe, near the Crumlin Road. I have spoken with his senior colleagues to pass on my concern.

“Those responsible for this attack, not only on the individual involved, but on the progress that North Belfast has made must be brought to justice. This community has rejected the men of violence before and it will do so again. There will be no cover given to those who seek to destabilise our progress and bring mayhem back to our streets.

“I would encourage anyone with any information whatsoever to bring it forward to the police.”

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly urged anyone with information to bring it forward.

He said: "I totally condemn this gun attack on a PSNI officer in north Belfast tonight.

"It is my understanding that a police officer has been shot in a drive by shooting on the Crumlin Road and that his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

"I hope that the injured officer will make a full and speedy recovery.

"Those responsible for this attack are the same people who are attacking the local community. They have absolutely nothing to offer society and need to call a halt to these activities immediately.

"I would call on anyone with information on this incident to bring it forward to the PSNI."

Belfast Telegraph