A police car has been left “unfit for use” after it was attacked by a group of around 35 people who had gathered to cause damage to a home in Kilkeel.
Police arrived at the scene after the group smashed windows and damaged the outside of the house.
The garden of the house was then set alight and the police car had two tyres slashed and paint thrown over it.
Officers say they received a report of the incident in the Carn Gardens area after midnight.
“Whilst police were at the address, a crowd of around 35 people gathered and continued to throw items at the house, and at one point set fire to the front garden,” a spokesperson said.
Police say the car has been rendered “unfit for use” PICTURE: PSNI
“The crowd, many of whom were masked, also attacked a police vehicle causing significant damage including two slashed tyres and paint thrown over the bodywork.”
Chief Inspector Adam Ruston added that 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,” he said.
“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.”
The group slashed two of the tyres and threw paint over the car PICTURE: PSNI
Inspector Ruston said that he 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”.
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