An increase in incidents where offenders use vehicles to target PSNI officers in south Armagh has coincided with the rollout of a review of policing in the border area, a DUP MLA has said.
Some DUP MLAs brought a motion to the Assembly calling on Justice Minister Naomi Long to consider stronger custodial sentences for those who weaponise vehicles to target officers.Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey condemned those who target members of the emergency services, but said the issue should not be used to undermine an “important policing initiative”.
Mr Buchanan told MLAs that between January 1 2021 and March 29 2024 there were 127 deliberate collisions with PSNI vehicles across Northern Ireland, with 29 in the Newry, Mourne and Down policing area.Mr Buchanan said there was “no doubt” that the spate had coincided with a review of policing in south Armagh.
Ms Hargey said anyone who targeted the emergency services committed a crime against those in the front line of protecting communities.She added: “The review was conducted in the spirit of a partnership approach with the local community and their political representatives, an approach I am sure that anyone interested in improving relationships and working practices between police and the local community would applaud.