Two police officers have been injured after their vehicle was rammed in Newry.
The incident happened in the Belfast Road area at about 11.20pm on Friday.
Inspector Alastair MacDonald said police were alerted to a suspected stolen vehicle parked on the forecourt of a garage when a vehicle was used as a weapon against them.
“Two call signs attended, and when officers attempted to speak with the occupants, the driver accelerated and collided with one of the vehicles, causing extensive damage and injuries to the two officers inside,” he said.
“The suspected stolen car, a blue Mazda Demio, was later located in the Bessbrook area.
“This vehicle was, in effect, used as a weapon against our officers.
“It is unacceptable that those working to keep their community safe should be targeted in this way.
“We’re thankful that our colleagues don’t appear, at this stage, to have suffered significant injury, but the outcome could have been much worse.
“The police vehicle sustained such significant damage that it had to be recovered from the scene 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.”
He said that in a separate incident, a second police vehicle was rammed by a silver van in the Dobsons Way area of Bessbrook just after 2.30am on Saturday.
There are no reports of injuries to the officers or serious damage to the police vehicle.
Mr MacDonald asked anyone with information to contact 101, quoting reference 142 of 25/1/25, or submit a report online using the PSNI’s non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.