Police record more than 2,600 officer assaults and over 100 vehicle rammings in past year

Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton and Elaine McCormill, Police Federation for Northern Ireland pictured with some of the damaged police vehicles.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has condemned a rising wave of violent incidents against officers, with more than 2,600 assaults and over 100 police vehicle rammings recorded in the past year.

Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton labelled the attacks “shocking and disgusting” and urged the public to show greater respect for officers working to keep communities safe.

Between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025, the PSNI recorded 2,630 assaults on officers. This calendar year, more than 100 police vehicles have been rammed, with 21 requiring repairs costing an estimated £140,000.

To improve officer safety and increase successful prosecutions, the PSNI will launch a dash-cam pilot scheme in the South Area next month. The initiative aims to deter offenders from using vehicles as weapons, bolster evidence gathering, and reduce the number of emergency vehicles being taken off the road.

Some of the damaged PSNI patrol vehicles.

DCC Singleton said:

“Most vehicle-ramming incidents occur as a result of individuals attempting to evade police or avoid arrest. This can be for a range of offences, from no insurance to more serious offending like robbery or assault.

“In these cases offenders are, in essence, using their vehicle as a weapon against us, and this is a scary and traumatising experience for any police officer to go through.

“It is a testament to the courage of our people that they will put themselves in situations where they are at risk, in order to protect communities from harm.”

He added that the cost of repairing damaged police vehicles is “increasingly hard to meet” at a time when emergency response capacity is paramount.

‘Disgraceful and Disgusting Behaviour’

The PSNI has responded to a significant number of incidents in recent months, with officers reporting assaults ranging from bites, kicks and punches to spitting and even sexual assault.

“Unfortunately, a number of officers have been subjected to disgraceful and, quite frankly, disgusting behaviour being assaulted whilst simply doing their job,” DCC Singleton said.

“It should never be accepted as ‘part of the job’ for anyone to be punched, kicked or spat at.”

He referenced the Police Federation’s recently launched ‘Let Them Protect’ campaign, which highlights the impact such assaults have on both officers and the communities they serve.

“Support for policing, and for our police officers, needs to be society wide,” he added. “We cannot, and will not, simply stand by and accept it.”

Officers Speak Out About Long-Term Trauma

Officer still dealing with leg injury two years after ramming

A neighbourhood officer in Newry, Mourne and Down continues to live with pain and mobility issues two years after a police vehicle was deliberately rammed.

He said:

“As a result of the collision I tore a ligament in my knee, which has made it very sore and weak.

Recently, my wife had our baby and I am extremely hesitant to use the stairs when I have my daughter in my arms in case I fall again.”

Female officer sexually assaulted during arrest

A Local Policing Team officer in Armagh was sexually assaulted while arresting a man in January 2023.

She described how the detainee “kept rubbing his face into the officer’s chest”, kissed her hand, threatened her, and later kicked her, causing a tibial plateau injury.

She said:

“For weeks I really struggled in my home life, I had nightmares and struggled with sleeping.”

The offender was convicted, sentenced to custody, and given a seven-year Sexual Offenders’ Prevention Order.

Officer sprayed with blood of suspect who had HIV and Hepatitis C

In August, another Armagh-based officer faced a traumatic BBVE (Blood-Borne Virus Exposure) incident after a detained man tore out his cannula in Craigavon Area Hospital, spraying blood into her face and mouth.

She said:

“This blood got into my eye and mouth… This has obviously caused me great concern.”

She underwent emergency treatment and a 28-day course of medication that made her “very unwell”, resulting in time off work. She continues to undergo blood testing and monitoring.

PSNI Strengthens Support for Officers

The Police Service’s Occupational Health and Wellbeing Department has intensified support for officers exposed to blood and body fluid incidents. Staff are contacted on the same day of any reported BBVE incident and provided assessments, treatment, and immunisation where required.

DCC Singleton said:

“This can be an extremely worrying and anxious time, not only for the police member but also their families and friends.”

He emphasised the service’s commitment to safeguarding the physical and psychological wellbeing of impacted officers.

Police Federation Calls for Stronger Deterrents

Elaine McCormill of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland warned that the scale of assaults poses a serious threat to frontline resilience.

“Every year, we have hundreds of officers who are the victims of assault… it is not part of the job and those who engage in such reprehensible behaviour… need to face punitive deterrent penalties through our courts.”

With officer numbers falling far below recommended levels, she stressed that PSNI “cannot afford to see” more staff forced off work due to preventable injuries.

“Our colleagues will continue to police without fear or favour and will not in any way be deflected or intimidated from doing their jobs by the reckless actions of those who want to cause them harm.”