58 Police Officers Injured in Vehicle Ramming Incidents Over Last Year

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has reported that 58 of its officers sustained injuries in deliberate vehicle ramming incidents over the last 12 months. The police force specified that these injuries occurred across 40 separate incidents since November 30, 2024. Additionally, police disclosed that over £400,000 has been allocated to repair vehicles damaged in ramming incidents within the past five years. Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton commented that this figure might not entirely represent the actual number of injuries suffered by police staff. Speaking to BBC News NI, he explained that the majority of vehicle ramming occurrences took place as individuals tried to evade police or resist apprehension. Police noted that these incidents are more prevalent in urban centers like Belfast and Londonderry, alongside border regions. DCC Singleton informed BBC News NI that the PSNI is contending with “a well-documented financial crisis, and this cost obviously impacts on our ever decreasing policing budget.” “A number of officers will suffer, in some cases quite serious injuries. Those injuries often can extend to long periods of absence, which means that a really important asset is denied to the public,” DCC Singleton stated. He continued, “It can range from whiplash type injuries right up to really serious injuries.” He emphasized, “As police officers, we come to work knowing we could be faced with difficult and dangerous situations, no one should ever have to accept a scenario in which their vehicle being rammed and them potentially being injured or even killed.” He concluded this point by saying, “It simply wouldn’t happen in any other profession.” DCC Singleton suggested that the actual count of officers hurt in ramming incidents could be greater. He explained, “Many officers opt not to report and simply seek treatment themselves.” Liam Kelly, chairman of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, further commented that the disclosed figures represent “the tip of the iceberg.”