Police Investigate Attempted Robbery Of Ferry Passengers

An investigation has been launched following an attempted armed robbery in the Downpatrick area on the evening of Friday, 02 August.

At approximately 8:45pm on Friday, a man and woman aged in their 20s had boarded the ferry from Portaferry to Strangford as foot passengers.

While onboard, they were approached by a woman aged in her 30s, who offered them a lift with her and a man aged in his 50s, who was driving a grey coloured estate-type car.

When they disembarked from the ferry, they were driven in the car along the Strangford Road, in the direction of Downpatrick.

The driver pulled over and threatened the man with a Stanley knife, demanding his money and phone. The man and woman were thankfully able to make off from the car on foot, uninjured but very shaken by their ordeal. Detective Sergeant Cole said: "Our investigation is continuing and we are keen to speak with anyone who was in the Strangford Road between 9.00 and 9.30pm and saw a vehicle matching the above description being driven suspiciously.

"We would also appeal to anyone who may have CCTV, dash-cam or mobile phone footage of the area at the time of the report that we could review.

"If you can help, please call us on 101, quoting reference number 1838 02/08/24."

Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/