Man, 28, arrested after car driven at police in Fintona in 'reckless attack'

A man has been arrested following an incident during which a car was driven towards police officers in Co Tyrone.

Shortly before 9pm on Saturday evening, police officers were performing traffic duties at a parade in the Tattymoyle Road area of Fintona when the driver of a black BMW car ignored instructions from officers and swerved the car towards them.

According to the PSNI, one officer was forced to jump out of the way of the car while another successfully deployed a stinger device to puncture its tyres.

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The car drove off but was located a short distance away along the Tattymoyle Road, where a man matching the description of the driver, was located hiding in a hedge by officers from Air Support Unit, who provided support to officers on the ground.

The man, aged 28, was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including attempting to cause grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving with excess alcohol in breath and no driving licence. He remains in custody at this time.

A 29-year-old woman was arrested in connection with the incident on suspicion of assault on police and resisting police. A report will be forwarded to the Public Prosecution Service in due course.

PSNI Chief Inspector Beverlie Reid said: “Thankfully none of our officers were injured as a result of this reckless attack on them. Police officers do not deserve to be targeted in this manner for simply doing their job.”

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