Ireland

PSNI condemns incident where vehicle driven at officer and police car rammed near Derry

Car stopped by police attempted to hit one officer who had walked towards it before ramming patrol car and fleeing

The PSNI said that the two officers 'escaped serious injury' in the incident. Photograph: PA/file
The PSNI said that the two officers 'escaped serious injury' in the incident. Photograph: PA/file
Sat Jan 14 2023 - 21:59

The PSNI has condemned an incident where a vehicle was driven at one officer twice before it rammed a police car near Derry.

Just before 9.10pm on Friday night, two officers on patrol in the area saw a maroon Volvo S60, following earlier reports of a car driving erratically in the area.

After the vehicle stopped, one officer got out of the police car and walked towards the vehicle, which was driven at him. The officer had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.

It then rammed the parked police car before driving off.

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The PSNI said that the two officers “escaped serious injury” in the incident.

Insp Ken McDermott said: “After stopping with this vehicle at the junction of the Buncrana Road and Upper Galliagh Road, one of the officers exited the police car and approached the Volvo, however the driver began to reverse the vehicle at speed, narrowly missing the officer and another parked vehicle.

“The suspect then drove directly at the officer, forcing them to jump out of the way to avoid being hit. He then rammed the police vehicle, with the other officer still inside, before fleeing the scene in the direction of Whitehouse Road.

“This was a reckless incident which put the lives of two police officers at risk, not to mention the potential of serious harm for any members of the public in the vicinity.

“Our inquiries remain ongoing as we work to locate the driver of the Volvo involved in this incident and I would appeal to anyone with information, including dashcam or other footage, to contact us on 101, quoting reference 1932 of 13/1/23.”

People can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online. - PA