Police Probe Shooting Incident

There has been a series of violent incidents across Northern Ireland in the last 24 hours.

Most recently, a 38-year-old man was hurt in a north Belfast shooting that happened at Estoril Park at around 3.30am early this morning (Friday).

The victim was shot in the hand and leg. A police spokeswoman said his injuries were "not thought to be life-threatening" and detectives in north Belfast are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information about the shooting to contact them.

Meanwhile, a separate probe continues after a 20-year-old woman was assaulted during an attempted early morning car hijacking in Co Antrim.

It happened in the Oldersleet Road, Larne at 5.45am on Friday.

PSNI officers are investigating after a man punched the woman victim in the face a number of times before dragging her from her car.

After a struggle, the man ran off in the direction of Lodge Road. The victim sustained facial injuries.

Meanwhile, a substantial sum of cash has been taken by a masked gang during an armed robbery at a taxi depot in Londonderry.

Two members of staff were entering the premises on the Lenamore Road at about 7pm last night when they were confronted by three masked men.

The men, who were armed with hammers and sticks, then threatened the occupants of the depot, before making off with a sum of money

Also yesterday, a security guard has foiled an attempt by an armed to rob a cash-in-transit van in Omagh.

He was making a cash delivery to premises at High Street in the town, when they were threatened by the gunman.

The guard managed to escape from the gunman by entering a building and locking the doors.

The gunman then ran off towards a silver coloured car. Police have appealed for information.

Also on Thursday, a man wielding a machete has robbed a convenience store in Carrickfergus.

The robber, who was wearing a black hooded coat, threatened staff at the premises in Bridewell Drive shortly after 7pm.

Police said he then made off with a sum of cash and several fuel vouchers from the shop.

The news of the violent incidents comes at the same time as the NI Policing Board was being briefed on a major shortfall in numbers of trained, experienced detectives in the PSNI, mostly on account of post-Patten reform retirements by experienced former RUC officers.

See: PSNI Admits Huge Shortfall In Detectives

(BMcC/JM)