A 36-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a police officer was struck by a stolen police vehicle in Downpatrick, County Down. The officer sustained serious injuries in the incident early on Sunday.

Police said an officer was on foot pursuing a man who had exited a car that failed to stop for officers on Fountain Street. The man then got into the driver's seat of a police vehicle and drove directly at the officer. The officer discharged one round from his firearm before he was hit.

The suspect abandoned the police car a short distance away and fled the scene.

The man has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated vehicle taking causing injury, aggravated vehicle taking in which a vehicle is driven dangerously, and several other driving offences. He is due to appear at Downpatrick Magistrates' Court on Thursday. The charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland's Chief Constable said the injured officer is recovering well. He added that officers should not be seen as acceptable targets for violence.

In a related case, Kieran Turley, 27, of Vianstown Road, Downpatrick, appeared before the same court on Monday. He was charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and using a motor vehicle without insurance. He was remanded in custody and will appear again later in June.