Further arrests after police injured in disturbances

Police investigating disturbances in County Londonderry that left three officers needing treatment in hospital and included a vehicle ramming have made three further arrests.

Officers were called to the scene of an ongoing disturbance at a shop in the Mill Road area of Kilrea on Wednesday afternoon.

When the police arrived, they saw several people in a car park with their faces covered and it was reported that a woman had been attacked outside the shop.

A black Vauxhall Astra car involved in the disturbance made off from the scene with the police in pursuit.

Two men, aged 38 and 31, were arrested on suspicion of driving and drug-related offences and remain in police custody.

On Thursday afternoon police said another three men – two aged 27 and one aged 38 – were arrested in Kilrea on suspicion of drug-related offences, as well as criminal damage and vehicle tampering.

Speaking before Thursday afternoon's arrests, Supt Sinead McIldowney said the car mounted a kerb a short time later and collided with a second police car as it attempted to stop it.

“Three officers on board sustained injuries and required hospital treatment – they were unable to continue on duty – the police vehicle was also damaged," she said.

“After the Vauxhall Astra struck the police vehicle it attempted to flee and collided with another vehicle – no injuries were reported.

“Officers drew their batons, and windows of suspect car were broken in an attempt to reach and arrest those inside who would not exit the vehicle.”

She added: “Thankfully we are not dealing with more serious injuries today – and the actions of the driver responsible for the pursuit and subsequent collision with our officers is totally unacceptable.

“Members of the public could have also been injured by what happened due to this completely reckless and dangerous act that should be wholly condemned."

One eyewitness told BBC News NI that a car struck a school bus and her own car during the incident.

"The car they were pursuing hit a school bus and then they mounted the other side of the pavement," the woman said.

"If the police didn't ram the car, I dread to think what would have happened to the kids getting off the bus.

"My car also got hit as well. There wasn't much damage to it thankfully, but it was all very scary."

A spokesman for the Police Ombudsman's Office told BBC News NI that the PSNI notified its office about the incident which happened at about 16:30 GMT on Wednesday.

"We are currently making preliminary enquiries to establish the full circumstances of what happened, and this will determine whether there are any matters requiring investigation by the Police Ombudsman's office," he said.