Police left with minor injuries following West Belfast pursuit

By Connor Stringer

A number of police officers have received minor injuries when a car which failed to stop struck five police vehicles in West Belfast during a pursuit in the early hours of this morning.

The car also struck a street light, which became lodged under the vehicle. The driver of the car then drove at police vehicles damaging them.

A 36-year-old man has been arrested on a suspicion of a number of offences.

A spokesperson from the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: “Police patrols were alerted and the vehicle was detected travelling along the Oldpark Road just after 5.30 am.

A number of police officers have been injured following a pursuit in West Belfast this morning. Five police cars were struck by a car that failed to stop, causing them minor injuries. The car also struck a street light. A 36-year-old man has since been arrested

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"Police signalled for the vehicle to stop but it failed to do so and a pursuit was then authorised by specially trained officers.

“The car travelled through North Belfast before entering the Westlink and then onto the M1 motorway. The vehicle left the motorway at the Blacks Road turn off and collided with a traffic light, before continuing on towards the Stewartstown Road.

“During the pursuit, the car also stuck a street light, which became lodged under the vehicle. The driver of the car then drove at police vehicles damaging them. 

"Police officers then positioned their vehicle around the Volkswagen Passat blocking it in and arrested a 36-year-old male on suspicion of a number of offences. He is currently in custody helping with ongoing enquiries.”