Three police officers have been injured after their car was rammed by a lorry in Jonesborough in South Armagh this afternoon (Friday 5 March).
Two officers received medical treatment at the scene and a third was taken to hospital as a precaution.
The police car was badly damaged.
As Police and HMRC conducted a joint enforcement operation on a commercial site on Edenappa Road just after midday, a 57-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including obstruction and fraudulent evasion of duty on fuel.
During the operation a Scania HGV tipper lorry rammed a PSNI vehicle, as those in the lorry attempted to flee the area.
Superintendent Norman Haslett said this was an ‘appalling, reckless, dangerous and completely cowardly’ act.
“Using a heavy goods vehicle as a weapon, could easily have caused catastrophic injury or worse.
“These were local officers from a Neighbourhood Policing Team were carrying out their duty to keep communities safe from organised criminality,” he said.
An investigation into this incident is now underway and police are liaising with An Garda Siochana.
“We are particularly interested in locating the vehicle and the driver which rammed the Police car. It was displaying the number plate LD08 POP and crossed into the Republic of Ireland and will be bearing damage to the front driver’s side.
“We are appealing to anyone with information about this incident to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 754 of 5/03/21.
“A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.’