Police officer draws gun during pursuit of 'dangerous vehicle'

A police officer had to draw his gun "fearing for his own safety", as an attempt was made to stop a suspect vehicle in Londonderry, the PSNI has said.

A stinger device was used in the pursuit of a black Mercedes 300, which police say "is believed to have been involved in several collisions in the city over recent months".

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the car was spotted on Buncrana Road in Derry at about 12:30 BST on Saturday heading towards the city at "dangerous speeds and with a deflated rear tyre".

The Mercedes then crashed into an uninvolved member of the public's car as police attempted to force the vehicle to stop, causing damage but no reported injury.

Insp Hewat of the PSNI said a stinger device was deployed in the Creggan area, in "an attempt to bring the pursuit to a safe and controlled conclusion".

"Fearing for his own safety, one officer drew his weapon, but the driver of the Mercedes swerved and made off, narrowly avoiding another member of the public's vehicle as he did so.

"As is standard procedure when a police firearm is drawn, the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has been informed - and their enquiries are ongoing."

The vehicle was found abandoned just over the Irish border, soon after.

The PSNI are liaising with gardaí (Irish police) as they "seek the driver, and are carrying out forensic testing of the vehicle".

They have appealed to anyone with information, or relevant dashcam or mobile phone footage, to contact them.