A police officer has been injured after he was dragged by a car following a traffic stop in Kilkeel on Friday.
The silver Mitsubishi Shogun stopped on the Mountain Road shortly at about 22:15 BST by officers conducting traffic duties.
He was treated in hospital for an arm injury and was unable to return to work.
“Police officers carry out their job knowing that on any given day they could be faced with difficult and dangerous situations, but it is completely unacceptable that they should be deliberately injured,” Inspector Connolly said.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said an officer “detected a strong smell which he suspected was cannabis” as he was leaning into the vehicle.
When he questioned the driver, they made off at speed, dragging the officer for several metres before he could free himself.
Inspector Connolly continued: “Our investigation into this matter is ongoing.
“The outcome of the driver’s actions could have been much more serious and the public should rest assured that the perpetrator will face the consequences.”
