Police are hunting the driver of a car after three PSNI vehicles were damaged during a pursuit.
A PSNI ‘Intercept’ BMW suffered significant damage to the front and rear in the chase which happened in the Newry area on Friday night.
Police say that at 8:10pm, officers from the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Intercept Team were “alerted to a vehicle travelling southbound on the A1, Newry Road”.
A spokesman added: “When the vehicle, a Volkswagen Passat, failed to stop for police, there was a pursuit. The driver of the vehicle subsequently forced the police vehicle off the road. The police vehicle sustained substantial damage, while an officer sustained a leg injury.
“Two other police vehicles who responded to the incident were also damaged when officers attempted to stop the offending vehicle from leaving the scene. The driver of the offending vehicle made off from the scene and his whereabouts remain outstanding. A section of the A1 was closed for a period of time as officers dealt with the scene.”
Superintendent Norman Haslett said: “One of our officers has been injured as a result of the reckless actions of the driver who made off from the scene. We have also had to take two of our vehicles off the road so they can be examined for road worthiness, which affects our service delivery. There is also the impact in terms of our officers and their welfare, as well as the cost of repairs to the vehicle.
“I would appeal to anyone who can assist our investigation or help us locate the driver who made off from the scene to call us on 101, and quote reference number 2088 of 19/03/21.”
The police say a report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
