Menu
04/04/2008
Robbery Police Defend City Centre Operations
Criticism levelled by Belfast Lord Mayor on what he claimed to be insufficient numbers of police officers 'on the ground' have been rejected by the officer in charge of city centre policing.
Jim Rodgers spoke out today on foot of a number of serious incidents in and around Belfast, including a daring armed robbery of a city jeweller on Thursday evening.
He said that - on leaving a function in central Belfast - he was pleased to see large numbers of people around, shopping and socialising - but was less impressed with what he claimed was a marked lack of visible policing.
However, PSNI Inspector Gabby Moran, speaking on BBC Radio Ulster this morning, refuted the claims and pointed to the fact that a 30-year-old man had in fact been arrested following the armed robbery at a jewellers in Belfast.
He also said that he was fully satisfied that the appropriate level of policing resources was in place in south and central Belfast.
He said that as well as patrolling; other officers were engaged in search operations, for example, which he claimed had resulted in the rapid detention of a suspect in the jewellery robbery.
Yesterday's operation followed a daylight robbery when two masked men entered Lunn's at Queen's Arcade in the city centre just before 5pm.
Reports indicated that one of the men was carrying a gun and that a male member of staff was hit over the head during the incident.
The gang made off with an undisclosed quantity of jewellery in a red car that was later discovered abandoned on Castle Street where army experts carried out a controlled explosion on the vehicle.
Meanwhile, there has also been an armed robbery outside a bank in south Belfast.
A Group4 Securicor cash-in-transit van was making a delivery to the First Trust Bank on the Ormeau Road when it was attacked just before 11.30am Thursday.
One of the security officers was confronted by a man armed with a knife, who snatched a moneybox and ran off.
The robber - who is described as 5ft 8ins tall and wearing a high visibility vest, dark woolly hat, black trousers and white trainers - is believed to have fled in the direction of Haywood Avenue in a dark grey Seat Toledo car.
Neither of the security officers who were with the van was injured.
(BMcC)
Jim Rodgers spoke out today on foot of a number of serious incidents in and around Belfast, including a daring armed robbery of a city jeweller on Thursday evening.
He said that - on leaving a function in central Belfast - he was pleased to see large numbers of people around, shopping and socialising - but was less impressed with what he claimed was a marked lack of visible policing.
However, PSNI Inspector Gabby Moran, speaking on BBC Radio Ulster this morning, refuted the claims and pointed to the fact that a 30-year-old man had in fact been arrested following the armed robbery at a jewellers in Belfast.
He also said that he was fully satisfied that the appropriate level of policing resources was in place in south and central Belfast.
He said that as well as patrolling; other officers were engaged in search operations, for example, which he claimed had resulted in the rapid detention of a suspect in the jewellery robbery.
Yesterday's operation followed a daylight robbery when two masked men entered Lunn's at Queen's Arcade in the city centre just before 5pm.
Reports indicated that one of the men was carrying a gun and that a male member of staff was hit over the head during the incident.
The gang made off with an undisclosed quantity of jewellery in a red car that was later discovered abandoned on Castle Street where army experts carried out a controlled explosion on the vehicle.
Meanwhile, there has also been an armed robbery outside a bank in south Belfast.
A Group4 Securicor cash-in-transit van was making a delivery to the First Trust Bank on the Ormeau Road when it was attacked just before 11.30am Thursday.
One of the security officers was confronted by a man armed with a knife, who snatched a moneybox and ran off.
The robber - who is described as 5ft 8ins tall and wearing a high visibility vest, dark woolly hat, black trousers and white trainers - is believed to have fled in the direction of Haywood Avenue in a dark grey Seat Toledo car.
Neither of the security officers who were with the van was injured.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 March 2018
Man Arrested Over Armed Robbery In West Belfast
A man has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery in west Belfast. The robbery happened at a shop on Caffrey Avenue at around 9.30pm on Tuesday, 27 February. The suspect threatened a member of staff and made off with a sum of cash and cigarettes. He was arrested on Wednesday, 28 February, and has been detained in police custody.
Man Arrested Over Armed Robbery In West Belfast
A man has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery in west Belfast. The robbery happened at a shop on Caffrey Avenue at around 9.30pm on Tuesday, 27 February. The suspect threatened a member of staff and made off with a sum of cash and cigarettes. He was arrested on Wednesday, 28 February, and has been detained in police custody.
30 November 2006
Armed robbery in west Belfast
Police in west Belfast have appealed for information following an armed robbery yesterday afternoon. Officers arrived at the DIY store in the Kennedy Centre after receiving reports of shots being fired. No one was injured during the incident, however one member of staff was taken to hospital for treatment for shock.
Armed robbery in west Belfast
Police in west Belfast have appealed for information following an armed robbery yesterday afternoon. Officers arrived at the DIY store in the Kennedy Centre after receiving reports of shots being fired. No one was injured during the incident, however one member of staff was taken to hospital for treatment for shock.
22 January 2013
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
12 April 2005
Woman held hostage in £1 million south Belfast robbery
Police in Belfast are investigating the suspected theft of up to £1 million in cash from a security firm on the outskirts of the city. One woman is believed to have been held hostage during the robbery which reportedly took place at Creighton's filling station in the Finaghy area of south Belfast on Tuesday morning.
Woman held hostage in £1 million south Belfast robbery
Police in Belfast are investigating the suspected theft of up to £1 million in cash from a security firm on the outskirts of the city. One woman is believed to have been held hostage during the robbery which reportedly took place at Creighton's filling station in the Finaghy area of south Belfast on Tuesday morning.
21 October 2024
Belfast Named Most Sustainable Visitor Destination In UK And Ireland
Belfast has been recognised as the most sustainable visitor destination in the United Kingdom and Ireland in the 2024 GDS-Index. The city ranked alongside global cities such as Sydney, Singapore, Oslo, and Copenhagen in the Top 10.
Belfast Named Most Sustainable Visitor Destination In UK And Ireland
Belfast has been recognised as the most sustainable visitor destination in the United Kingdom and Ireland in the 2024 GDS-Index. The city ranked alongside global cities such as Sydney, Singapore, Oslo, and Copenhagen in the Top 10.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
