SIX off-duty police officers were among eight people arrested following an incident in Portstewart yesterday morning.

Detectives are investigation the altercation which occured outside a licensed premises in the town around 1am on Wednesday June 1.

Three people were taken to hospital and treated for minor injuries. Two of the people involved are foreign nationals and police are investigating a hate crime element.

The eight people arrested have since been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Chief Superintendent Garry Eaton said that the investigation was still at the early stages.

"We are following a number of lines of enquiry including reviewing CCTV footage and identifying and speaking to witnesses. I would encourage anyone who was in the area of Church Pass in Portstewart during the early hours of Wednesday and witnessed the altercation to contact detectives in Coleraine."

“Discipline Branch is also conducting an internal investigation and therefore it would not be appropriate for me to comment further however what I can say is that the Police Service of Northern Ireland expects its officers and staff to behave professionally, ethically and with the utmost integrity at all times.

"Any deviation from those standards is unacceptable and we are committed to ensuring that where officers and staff fail to maintain the high standards expected of them they are dealt with appropriately.”

Police ask anyone who could assist with the investigation is asked to contact them on 101.