Police car damaged after being attacked by large crowd

A police car has sustained significant damage after being attacked by a large crowd in Co Down.

PSNI officers were called to a house in the Carn Gardens area of Kilkeel at around midnight on Monday morning where damage had been caused to the exterior of a property.

A crowd of around 35 people had gathered and whilst officers were at the address two of the tyres on their car were slashed and paint was thrown over the bodywork.

The vehicle has now been rendered unfit for use.

“I cannot emphasise enough the foolhardiness of attacking and damaging police vehicles which are needed in order for us to be able to respond to emergencies of all kinds in the local community.

“And to those involved in attacking the house and the police car, whatever your motivation, your actions are unlawful and we are investigating. Body-worn video has been captured, and will be examined along with all available CCTV and other recorded footage.

“I would urge those in the community involved in this morning’s events to examine their actions and realise that taking the law into your own hands is not how we do things in a civilised society, nor is attacking the police who are simply doing their job serving the community.”