02/11/2006

North Belfast family held hostage

A north Belfast family have been held hostage by an armed and masked gang.

The incident happened shortly after 5am yesterday morning, when three men – one armed with a handgun, broke into the family home in the Fortwilliam Park area of the city and held the family – a man, and woman and their six-year-old twin girls, at gunpoint until 9am.

They then ordered the woman to go to her place of work – the Ulster Bank on the Andersonstown Road in west Belfast, and withdraw a sum of money and then leave it at a drop off point in the Clifton Street area of the city.

The family were not injured during the incident, however were left badly shaken by their ordeal.

Police have appealed for anyone who may have witnessed the incident, and are especially keen to speak to anyone who may have noticed a red van in the Clifton Street area between 9am and 10am.

Anyone with any information in connection with the incident are asked to contact detectives on 0845 600 8000, or anonymously on the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.

(EF)

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