Police vehicle ramming attacks a ‘threat to operational capability’

By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

The deliberate ramming of police vehicles constitutes a “serious and continuing threat” to the PSNI’S frontline operational capability, a senior officer has said.

In the latest incident, an officer was injured and two people arrested after a police vehicle was rammed by a stolen car in Co Fermanagh.

Police on patrol spotted a silver Ford Fiesta on the Cornagrade Road in Enniskillen shortly before 1am on Wednesday.

The officer who was driving the police vehicle when it was rammed sustained injuries to his neck and back but remained on duty.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Upon being signalled to stop, the driver of the car made off from police at speed, attempting to drive up a grass verge.

“When unable to get away, the driver then rammed his vehicle into the police car, injuring the officer inside.

“Two of the occupants of the car, a man and a woman, ran from the vehicle.

“However, another man, 22, and a 25-year-old woman were arrested at the scene.”

The vehicle had been stolen across the border in Co Cavan the previous evening.

The spokesperson added: “The pair who ran from the stolen car are still sought by police.

“The male is described as in his 20s, approximately 6ft tall and wearing dark clothing with what is believed to either be a white hood or a white marking on the hood.

“The female suspect also appeared to be in her 20s with blonde hair and was wearing a black coat and blue jeans.

“The officer who was driving the police vehicle when it was rammed sustained injuries to his neck and back, but remained on duty.”

The deliberate ramming of police vehicles constitutes a serious and continuing threat to our frontline operational capability

Police are appealing for anyone with information or who may have captured any dash-cam, doorbell or any other footage in the Cornagrade Road area to please get in touch by calling 101.

Fermanagh and Omagh district commander Pete Cunningham said: “The deliberate ramming of police vehicles constitutes a serious and continuing threat to our frontline operational capability and to the safety and wellbeing of our officers.

“There must be a lot more awareness of, and praise for, the invaluable and often dangerous work local police officers are doing in communities, and zero tolerance for those who use vehicles to attack them for simply doing their job and keeping people safe.”