Three police officers injured after patrol cars rammed

Three police officers have been injured after their patrol cars were rammed by another vehicle.

One of the officers required hospital treatment following the incident in Newry in the early hours of Thursday.

Two men have been arrested.

District Commander for Newry, Mourne & Down Superintendent Norman Haslett said that officers had stopped a vehicle that was driving erratically in the Flagstaff Road area of Cloughoge at around 1.40am.

He said the vehicle went on to ram two police patrol cars.

“The vehicle stopped briefly however then proceeded to repeatedly ram two police patrol vehicles causing injuries to three police officers, one of whom required treatment in hospital,” he said.

“Two men were arrested at the scene.

“A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including driving with excess alcohol and driving whilst disqualified.

“A 30-year-old man was also arrested on a number of offences including causing danger to road users and possession of class B and class C controlled substances.

“Both remain in police custody at this time.”

Mr Haslett blasted the ramming as “dangerous and reprehensible”.

“Our police officers work tirelessly at all hours of the day and night on behalf of the community to keep the community safe,” he said.

“This type of behaviour is dangerous and reprehensible and it needs to stop. I wish the officers who have been injured as a result a speedy recovery.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have dash-cam or CCTV footage that could assist us with our enquiries to contact police on 101 quoting reference 103 of 05/01/23.”