Two PSNI vehicles were rammed in separate incidents in Counties Armagh and Tyrone overnight, with a senior officer saying the culprits had used their own as “weapons” against police.
The incidents happened at Cookstown and Jonesborough on Friday night and the early hours of Saturday morning.
Around 7.50pm officers on patrol in Beechview signalled for a black Mercedes B class to stop. The vehicle attempted a reversing manoeuvre before turning and driving straight at police, mounting a kerb and colliding with the police vehicle before making off from the scene.
Two officers suffered injuries as a result of this collision and are now off duty.
At around 1.55am police on patrol in Jonesborough observed a van exiting a car park, it then began reversing back into the car park.
When police approached the van, it drove forward colliding with the police vehicle, it then collided with a pillar a short distance away. Officers then arrested the driver on suspicion of a number of offences, he remains in police custody.
Newry Mourne and Down Inspector Alastair Macdonald said: “These vehicles were, in effect, used as weapons against our officers. It is unacceptable that those working to keep their community safe should be targeted in this way.
“The police vehicles sustained damage and will now be off the road for repairs, which impacts on the local community. Those responsible should expect to be brought before the courts to face the consequences of their actions.
“Thankfully both officers in the vehicle were not seriously injured, our priority is their safety and welfare and, as an organisation, we will ensure support is available where it’s needed.
“Our investigation is underway and anyone with information, including dashcam or other footage, is asked to contact us on 101, quoting reference 142 of 27/09/25.”
A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/
