Two officers injured in vehicle ramming
Two police officers were injured when a car rammed their patrol vehicle in the Church Road in Forkhill in the early hours of Saturday, December 27.
Police have revealed that across the South Area, a total of 14 officers were assaulted last Friday evening and Saturday morning, with one officer having to receive hospital treatment for a bite injury.
Chief Inspector Adam Ruston said: “At around 1.40am, a silver Renault Megane collided with a police car on patrol in the area. The vehicle failed to stop and then fled across the border.
“As a result, two officers were injured and the patrol vehicle sustained damage, which will render it unusable for the foreseeable future.
“This is a shocking amount of assaults on police and it is totally unacceptable. This type of behaviour places members of the public and our officers at risk of serious harm and we are lucky not to be dealing with serious injuries.
“I am appealing to anyone who may have seen the silver Renault Megane in the area, or who may have any information or dash-cam footage that could assist with enquiries, to contact police urgently via 101, quoting reference number 139 of 27/12/25.”
Justice Minister Naomi Long said she hoped the injured officers make a “full and speedy recovery”.
“It is utterly unacceptable that any police officer should come under attack for simply doing their job,” she said.
“They are dads, mums, sons and daughters; they miss out on time with their loved ones over the Christmas period to keep our communities safe and they should be supported to carry out their duties free from the fear of being assaulted.
“An attack on the police is an attack on everyone; officers who are injured are unable to work, while damaged vehicles are taken off the road.
"This impacts on the ability of the police to respond to emergencies.
“I intend to introduce legislation to provide for higher sentences for assaults on any person who is providing services to the public, performing a public duty or delivering a public service.
“One attack on a police officer is one attack too many.”
A report can be made via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.