Man shot in Down ram raid spree

A man was shot in the arm and six police officers injured during a series of ram raids in Co Down today.

The officers were injured as a car hit a police vehicle in Newry earlier this morning.

The incident began when police attempted to stop the car at Watson’s Road following raids on three businesses in the town.

It reversed away and then crashed into a wall before driving towards one of the officers, pinning him against the wall.

The officer fired a number of shots and the car drove off, ploughing into another police vehicle.

The man was arrested and it was found he had a gunshot wound to his arm. Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan is to investigate the incident.

Earlier there had been three ram raid incidents in the town. The first began shortly after 1am when a tool hire premises at Carnbane industrial estate was targeted.

At 2am an electrical goods shop in Edwards Street was raided, followed a short time later by a newsagent’s shop in William Street.