Police vehicle attacked during violent disorder in Co Down

A police vehicle has been left out of action after being attacked by a crowd in Kilkeel during the early hours of Monday 22 September.

Officers were called to the Carn Gardens area shortly after midnight following reports that a group of masked men were attacking a house.

When police arrived, they discovered that the property had already sustained significant damage, with windows smashed and the exterior vandalised.

While police were inside the property, a crowd of around 35 people then gathered outside, continuing to throw items at the house. At one point, the front garden was set alight.

The situation escalated further when the crowd, many of them masked, turned on the attending police vehicle, slashing two tyres and throwing paint across the bodywork, rendering it unfit for use.

Chief Inspector Adam Ruston condemned the violence, warning that attacks on police resources put the wider community at risk. He said:

“The police vehicle is now off the road and will be unavailable for use by local officers to respond to reports from the public for a period of time whilst repairs are carried out.

“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.”

Chief Inspector Adam Ruston added:

“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 civilised society, nor is attacking the police who are simply doing their job serving the community.”

Police say their enquiries are ongoing and have appealed to anyone with information to come forward.