Arrest after police car rammed and officers assaulted

Two police officers have been injured after their patrol vehicle was rammed near Strabane.

Officers attempted to stop a blue Ford van near Ballymagorry driven by a man believed to be under the influence of alcohol. It continued to drive on at the police car, colliding with it head on.

The driver got out of the vehicle and assaulted both officers at the scene. A 26-year-old man has been arrested.

The officers required treatment in hospital and their patrol car was significantly damaged in the incident on Saturday afternoon.

Ch Insp Michael Gahan said the van had earlier been involved in a collision in the Newbuildings area of Londonderry.

“A short time later the offending vehicle came to the attention of police outside Ballymagorry,” the officer said,

He added the driver was “restrained and subsequently arrested on suspicion of a number of driving-related offences, as well as assault on police and resisting police”.

“Our officers put themselves on the front line to help keep people safe – they do not deserve to be assaulted for doing their jobs and in this case, attempting to stop a dangerous driver on our roads,” he said.

“I would also like to commend two members of the public who stopped and assisted the officers at the scene as they faced challenging circumstances.

“Their actions were brave and admirable for intervening to help – a reflection of true community spirit.”