Police car damaged after being attacked by large crowd in Co Down

By Nicole McBride, PA

A police car has sustained significant damage after being attacked by a large crowd in Co Down.

PSNI officers were called to a house in the Carn Gardens area of Kilkeel at around midnight on Monday morning where damage had been caused to the exterior of a property.

Police said that windows at the property had been smashed and damaged and the front garden had been set on fire.

A crowd of around 35 people had gathered and whilst officers were at the address two of the tyres on their car were slashed and paint was thrown over the bodywork.

The vehicle has now been rendered unfit for use.

Chief Inspector Adam Ruston said: “The police vehicle is now off the road and will be unavailable for use by local officers to respond to reports from the public for a period of time whilst repairs are carried out.

“I cannot emphasise enough the foolhardiness of attacking and damaging police vehicles which are needed in order for us to be able to respond to emergencies of all kinds in the local community.

“And to those involved in attacking the house and the police car, whatever your motivation, your actions are unlawful and we are investigating. Body-worn video has been captured, and will be examined along with all available CCTV and other recorded footage.

“I would urge those in the community involved in this morning’s events to examine their actions and realise that taking the law into your own hands is not how we do things in a civilised society, nor is attacking the police who are simply doing their job serving the community.”