A 17 year old male is to face a court tomorrow after a stolen car collided with a police vehicle on Wednesday night in west Belfast.

He has been charged with aggravated vehicle taking causing damage to the vehicle, aggravated vehicle taking in which vehicle is being driven dangerously, failing to stop, failing to report, failing to remain, theft, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.

He is expected to appear before Belfast Youth Court tomorrow morning, Friday 17 February.

The charges are in connection with the arrest of a male in west Belfast last night after a stolen car collided with a police vehicle in the Cullingtree area shortly before 9.45 pm.

Two police officers sustained non-life threatening injuries as a result of the collision.

The car, a silver Volkswagen, had been reported stolen in the Castlereagh area as a result of a suspected creeper style burglary early yesterday morning.

Police are also investigating reports that a similar vehicle was driving erratically in the Fall’s Road area at the time of an earlier shooting incident on Wednesday evening.

Detective Inspector Mary White said: “There is only one police service in West Belfast, and that’s the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

“We are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days every week, protecting the public and serving the local community.

“I would appeal to all members of the West Belfast community, if you witnessed anything last night to come forward to detectives at Musgrave on the non-emergency number 101.

“Or if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.”