Two Broome police officers taken to hospital after patrol car rammed overnight

Two Broome police officers have been injured overnight in the latest incident of patrol cars being rammed by stolen vehicles in the region. Shortly before 2am on Friday, February 4, the officers were attending to an unrelated matter in Broome when they observed a stolen Toyota Fortuna driving in an erratic manner nearby. The Fortuna allegedly rammed the police vehicle, resulting in their patrol car crashing near the intersection of Roberts and Dora streets. The stolen vehicle fled the scene and inquiring to locate the occupants are continuing. The officers suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash and have since been released from hospital. It’s the latest in a series of police cars being rammed in the crime plagued Kimberley, with the region’s top cop in September warning it was “only a matter of time” before an officer was seriously injured. In a statement, WA Police Union president Mick Kelly said the stolen vehicle was taunting police and chasing them down several streets before the ramming. “The union understands that while the damaged police vehicle was being recovered, the stolen motor vehicle was sighted by police in the distance revving its engine and flashing high beams, further taunting police,” he said. “This follows a similar incident in September when a juvenile offender in an allegedly stolen vehicle rammed a police car in Fitzroy Crossing seriously injuring one of our members. “Our members are locating and apprehending offenders relating to recent high-volume crimes in Broome, but are calling on other government agencies to, upon conviction, apply appropriate sentencing to deter these juveniles from committing these serious offences.” The Fortuna was believed to have been stolen from the Broome Lions Eye Clinic. “Sadley(sic) the Lions Eye Clinic will not be open today due to a break in overnight,” a Broome Lions Eye Clinic employee posted. “Our Lions Outlook Vision 4WD was stolen and rammed the gate to escape. Thankfully Broome police are in attendance even though 2 officers were injured. “A very sad day for Broome.” WA Police commissioner Chris Dawson said policing efforts had already been increased in the district in response to recent crime issues and further operational plans were being developed to support local police and the community. “Police will be conducting further targeted operations to tackle these crime issues head-on,” Mr Dawson said. “Further to this, I have already briefed Ministers for Police, Communities and Justice, and myself and other senior police will be working with other government agencies to address this current crime escalation. “Officers in the Kimberley District have my full support, as does the local community, and we will tackle this issue together.” The incident comes just a day before a community crime forum hosted by Mining and Pastoral MLC Neil Thomson and North West Central MLA Vince Catania takes place.