Two police officers were injured after a suspected stolen vehicle was ‘used as a weapon’ to ram a police car in Newry on Friday night.
The incident happened in the Belfast Road area of the city at around 11.20pm.
Inspector Alastair MacDonald said: “Police were alerted to a suspected stolen vehicle parked in the forecourt of a garage in the Belfast Road area around 11.20pm.
”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.
”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,” he continued.
“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.”
In a separate incident on the outskirts of the city, another police car was rammed by a silver van at around 2.30am on Saturday.
The incident in the Dobsons Way area of Bessbrook did not result in any injuries or serious damage.
Police are appealing for anyone with information or footage of either incident to contact them on 101.
