A 23-year-old man has been arrested following an incident in Derry on Thursday evening in which a police vehicle was repeatedly rammed, injuring two officers.

Police said District Support Team officers on patrol in the Waterside area observed a vehicle without valid insurance being driven by someone they believed to be a disqualified driver. The officers signalled for the car to stop near the Foyle Bridge shortly after 8.30pm, but the driver fled towards the city centre.

A pursuit began but was initially discontinued. The same vehicle was later seen on the Templemore Road and then entering an estate in the Galliagh area, identified by police as Rossnagalliagh Park.

Police said that after the driver realised the vehicle was in a dead end, it rammed a police vehicle several times. Both officers inside the police vehicle were injured, and the police vehicle sustained significant damage.

Officers from the Armed Support Unit then used tactical contact to stop the car and arrest the driver.

The man was arrested on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to stop for police, criminal damage, and possession of a Class A controlled drug. He remained in custody as of Friday morning.

Derry City and Strabane District Superintendent McIldowney said the incident was the second ramming of a police vehicle in a week. A similar incident occurred on Ballycolin Road in Dunmurry on Tuesday 25 August, leaving two other officers injured.

As a result of both incidents, four officers have been injured and three police vehicles are off the road. Superintendent McIldowney said the loss of the vehicles would impact the PSNI's ability to serve the community.

Police have appealed for anyone with information about the incident to contact them on 101, quoting reference 1773 27/08/26, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.