Number of armed robberies in Belfast

Police in Belfast have appealed for information following a spate of armed robberies in Belfast last night and in the early hours of this morning.

The first incident happened at around 8pm, when three men, one armed with a screw driver, entered a shop in the My Lady's Road area of the city.

The thieves threatened staff before making off with the till in the direction of the Woodstock Road.

A short time later, at 8.15pm, two males, one armed with a screw driver entered a tanning shop on the Woodstock Road.

They threatened a female member of staff before making off with the cash register in the direction of the Beersbridge Road.

At around 8.20pm, three males, again armed with a screw driver, entered an off license on the nearby Cregagh Road and threatened staff.

The robbers then made off, taking with them a sum of cash, a mobile phone and the keys and cars of two vehicles – a red Renault Clio and a black Peugeot 107.

At 8.30pm, police received reports of an attempted robbery at a shop on the Ravenhill Road, however the thieves left the premises empty handed.

At around 9.30pm, a silver coloured Mini Cooper was stolen from the Boucher Road.

In another incident at 5am this morning, three males armed with a tyre iron, smashed their way into a petrol station on the Knocknagoney Road.

A fourth man is believed to have been waiting outside. The assailants made their escape in two vehicles – a silver coloured Mini Cooper and a silver estate in the direction of the Sydenham bypass.

Detectives investigating the robberies believe them to be linked and have asked for anyone who may have witnessed any of the incidents, or anyone with any information in connection with them, to contact them at Strand Town on 0845 600 8000, or anonymously on the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.

(EF)