More arrests after police injured during riots in Kilrea

Police investigating a riot in Co Londonderry that left three officers requiring treatment in hospital and a vehicle ramming have made three more arrests.

On Wednesday afternoon, officers were called to the scene of an ongoing disturbance at a store on Mill Road, Kilrea.

When police arrived, they saw several people in the parking lot with their faces covered. The report showed that a woman was attacked in front of the store.

The black Vauxhall Astra involved in the disturbance fled the scene and police gave chase.

Two men, aged 38 and 31, were arrested on suspicion of driving and drug offenses and are in police custody.

On Thursday afternoon, police said a further three men – two aged 27 and one aged 38 – had been arrested in Kilrea on suspicion of drug offences, as well as criminal damage and vehicle tampering.

In a speech ahead of the arrests on Thursday afternoon, Supt Sinead McIldowney said a short time later the car mounted a curb and collided with a second police car when it tried to stop it.

“Three officers on board were injured and required hospital treatment – they were unable to continue on duty. A police car was also damaged,” she added.

“After a Vauxhall Astra hit a police vehicle, it attempted to flee and collided with another vehicle – no injuries were reported.

“Officers drew batons and the windows of the suspect car were smashed in an attempt to reach and arrest the occupants who refused to exit the vehicle.”

She added: “Thankfully, we are not dealing with any more serious injuries today and the actions of the driver responsible for the pursuit and subsequent collision with our officers are completely unacceptable.

“Members of the public may also have been injured as a result of this completely reckless and dangerous act, which must be completely condemned.”

One eyewitness told BBC News NI that during the incident, a car hit a school bus and her own car.

“The car they were chasing hit the school bus and then they drove onto the other side of the sidewalk,” the woman added.

“If the police hadn’t rammed the car, it’s scary to think what would have happened to the children getting off the bus.

“My car was also hit. Luckily there was no major damage, but it was all very scary.”

A spokesman for the Police Ombudsman’s Office told BBC News NI that the PSNI notified its office of the incident, which occurred at around 16:30 GMT on Wednesday.

“We are currently conducting a preliminary investigation to establish the full circumstances of what happened, which will help determine whether there are any matters that require investigation by the Police Ombudsman’s office,” he said.