Police were called to a home in Faithful Street, near Goomalibee Road, about 7pm on Saturday amid reports of a family violence matter.

A man arrived at the property and argued with police before getting into his car.

He crashed into the unoccupied divisional van and fled the scene.

There were no reported injuries.

A spokeswoman said police were still making enquiries on Sunday to locate the man.

The police van was undriveable but was not a write off.

It followed an unrelated incident on the Chiltern-Rutherglen Road at Cornishtown last year where a police car was rammed.

A 60-year-old man was shot by police during the incident.

The police association has called for tougher penalties for those who ram police vehicles.

Secretary Wayne Gatt has previously told The Border Mail ​that officers were “sick of being used as crash test dummies by criminals”.

“The reflex of criminals in vehicles who are confronted by a police car these days is to ram into it and drive away,” he said.  

“It’s become a reflex because they’re aware that so many before them have done it and gotten away with it.

“Crimes against police, crimes that put our members in harm’s way, shouldn’t be greeted with a raised eyebrow, they should be treated with the stiff arm of the law and the judiciary.

“At present they’re simply not.

“That’s why we’re calling for new laws and new punishments for criminals who ram police vehicles.

“Every day that doesn’t happen is a another day our members are seen as fair game and placed in danger of serious injury or worse.”

Sergeant Gatt said car rammings were the one of the most serious health risks faced by officers.

New laws are being considered by state parliament. 

Anyone with information about the Benalla incident is urged to call (03) 5760 0200 or 1800 333 000.