Two police officers have been injured and have not yet returned to duty after their vehicles were rammed in separate incidents in Cookstown and Jonesborough.

At approximately 7.50pm on Friday night, officers on patrol in the Beechview area of Cookstown signalled for a black Mercedes B Class to stop. The driver attempted a reversing manoeuvre before turning and driving directly at the police vehicle, mounting a kerb and colliding with the patrol car before fleeing the scene.

Two officers in the police vehicle suffered injuries as a result of the collision and are now unable to return to duty.

In a separate incident at around 1.55am on Saturday morning, police on patrol in Jonesborough observed a van exiting a car park before beginning to reverse back into it.

When officers approached the van, it drove forward, colliding with the police vehicle. The van then struck a pillar a short distance away. Officers subsequently arrested the driver on suspicion of a number of offences, and he currently remains in police custody.

Police Condemnation Inspector Alastair Macdonald of Newry Mourne and Down condemned the actions: "These vehicles were, in effect, used as weapons against our officers. It is unacceptable that those working to keep their community safe should be targeted in this way."

Inspector Macdonald confirmed that the damaged police vehicles will be off the road for repairs, which will impact local community coverage.

"Thankfully both officers in the vehicle were not seriously injured, our priority is their safety and welfare and, as an organisation, we will ensure support is available where it's needed," he added.

The PSNI investigation is underway, and anyone with information, including dash-cam or other footage, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 142 of 27/09/25. Information can also be submitted online via the non-emergency reporting form at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ , or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/.