THE POLICE SERVICE of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have appealed for anyone with information to come forward after a PSNI officer was driven at in Ardboe yesterday.

A police officer was injured after his arm was pinned between a vehicle and police car in Ardboe outside Dungannon last night, a spokeswoman for the PSNI said.

The officer had been in the process of detaining the driver for a search of the vehicle under the misuse of drugs act in the Kilmascally Road area at around 9.50pm.

The driver then reversed back at speed, dragging the officer along for a short distance before colliding with the stationary police vehicle causing some damage, the PSNI said.

The officer’s arm was pinned between the police vehicle and the driver’s side of the dark-coloured vehicle. The driver then reversed again and the officer was able to move. The driver ignored the officer’s instructions to stop and made off at speed.

The officer attended hospital for assessment to an arm and hand injury.

Chief Inspector Daniel McPhillips said that the officer has received welfare support, but that his injuries could “easily have been much more serious”. 

“Assaults on our officers are unacceptable, and will not be tolerated,” he said. “Our officers are here to help, and respond to calls assisting people.”

He said that assaults in officers must not be tolerated as being “part of the job”.

An investigation is underway, and the PSNI are appealing to anyone who witnessed a “dark-coloured vehicle being driven erratically in this rural area” or any driver who may have been in the vicinity and have dash-cam footage to contact the PSNI now on 101 quoting reference number 1308 27/07/24.”

Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org