The PSNI has spoken of 14 assaults over a short period of time. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph.
The PSNI has said 14 police officers were assaulted from Friday evening into Saturday morning including one who was bitten.
Two police officers were also injured when a car rammed their patrol vehicle in Co Armagh.
The incident took place on the Church Road in Forkhill in the early hours of Saturday morning with police now appealing for information.
Chief Inspector Adam Ruston said: “At around 1.40am a silver Renault Megane collided with a police car on patrol in the area. The vehicle failed to stop and then fled across the border.
“As a result, two officers were injured and the patrol vehicle sustained damage which will render it unusable for the foreseeable.”
The PSNI also said that across south area a total of 14 officers were assaulted on Friday evening and Saturday morning with one officer having to receive hospital treatment for a bite injury.
The PSNI has spoken of 14 assaults over a short period of time. Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph.
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South area consists of the districts, Newry, Mourne and Down; Mid Ulster; Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon and Fermanagh and Omagh.
“This a shocking amount of assaults on police and it is totally unacceptable. This type of behaviour places members of the public and our officers at risk of serious harm and we are lucky not to be dealing with serious injuries,” Mr Ruston said.
“I am appealing to anyone who may have seen the blue Ford Focus in the area, or who may have any information or dash-cam footage that could assist with enquiries, to contact police urgently via 101 quoting reference number 139 of 27/12/25.”
A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.
Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.