Driver tried to escape police with four flat tyres

Two of those arrested were 16, and one was aged 15. One other suspect successfully fled the scene.

Police began to track the vehicle after it failed to stop for officers in the Glenmanus Road area of Portrush on Sunday night.

Chief Inspector Catherine Magee said in a statement: “As police were in pursuit the car collided with another vehicle at the Metropole roundabout and then carried on towards Bushmills along the Dunluce Road where officers deployed a stinger in order to bring the car to a stop.

“Even with all four tyres burst, the car continued to try and evade officers until it collided with a parked police car in Bushmills.

“Three males, including the driver, were arrested however one passenger fled the scene.

“Thankfully the occupant of the car at the Metropole was not hurt and the police officer in the parked car was only slightly injured as a result of the collisions, however it is only by sheer good fortune that no other police officer or member of the public was seriously hurt or killed.

“We are continuing our efforts to find the fourth passenger and a full investigation is underway.”

Anyone who was in the area of the Glenmanus Road around 10pm on Sunday and saw the male occupants of a grey Nissan Almera, registration HKZ 6883 – or who has any information that could assist police – is asked to telephone the non-emergency number 101.