Two police officers required medical attention after their vehicle was rammed in the Dromore area of County Down on Wednesday 20th May.

At approximately 12.15pm on Wednesday, Tactical Support Group officers were operating a mobile patrol on the Killysorrell Road, close to Blackskull, when they spotted a beige or gold-coloured Ford Galaxy displaying defective registration plates. The officers, who were driving an unmarked Skoda, followed the vehicle for a short distance onto Villa Wood Road. At this point, the Ford Galaxy braked suddenly and reversed straight into the police car. The suspect vehicle then proceeded onto the Gowdystown Road, where it stopped for a second time and reversed at high speed into the police car before fleeing southbound along the A1 dual carriageway. Both officers needed medical treatment in the wake of the collisions. The police vehicle sustained front-end damage, forcing it to be temporarily taken out of service for repairs.

Inspector Rice stated: "Thankfully, the injuries our officers sustained were not too serious, however, it is unacceptable that people working to keep their community safe should be targeted in this way. A police vehicle was also damaged which has an impact on our ability to carry out our duties on behalf of the local community.

"Our enquiries are continuing and anyone with information, or who may have CCTV or dash-cam footage which could assist can contact police on 101, quoting reference 601 20/05/26.

"Information can also be submitted online via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org."