Officers injured as two police vehicles rammed in separate incidents

Two police officers have been injured after their vehicle was rammed in Co Tyrone.

The incident in Cookstown was one of two separate incidents involving the ramming of police vehicles across Friday evening and into the early hours of Saturday.

Around 7.50pm on Friday officers on patrol in Beechview in Cookstown signalled for a black Mercedes B class to stop.

The PSNI said 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.

The two officers who suffered injuries in the collision are now off duty.

The second incident happened around 1.55am in Co Armagh. Police on patrol in Jonesborough observed a van exiting a car park. It then began reversing back into the car park.

The PSNI said when police approached the van, it drove forward, colliding with the police vehicle, before then colliding with a pillar a short distance away.

Officers said the driver was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences. He remained in police custody on Saturday afternoon.

PSNI 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.”

Witnesses or anyone with information about the incidents is asked to come forward.