Gunman hijacks van

AN armed man has held up a parcel delivery van in broad daylight in the heart of a local town.

The raider, brandishing a firearm, swooped shortly before 4pm on Monday (5th) as the vehicle was in Hibernia Street, Holywood.

Detectives say the robber approached the male driver of a parcel delivery van in the Hibernia Street area of the town. He got into the vehicle and instructed the driver to make his way to Humber Court in the Dee Street area of east Belfast.

A group of males then started lifting parcels from the back of the van into a white old-shaped Mazda.

The male was then told to wait 10 minutes before contacting anyone and the culprits made off.

Detectives are investigating the hijacking and robbery, and are appealing to anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the Hibernia Street area of Holywood or the Humber Court area of east Belfast to contact them.

Anyone with information should contact detectives in Bangor on 0845 600 8000. Alternatively, information about crime can be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity by calling 0800 555 111.

Monday’s incident has been condemned by local political representatives.

DUP Assembly man and councillor, Alex Easton, said, “I totally condemn this attack on a parcel delivery driver whilst he carried out his job in Holywood.

“I call upon anyone with information to bring it forward to the PSNI.
“We must work together to stamp out this sort of activity. Everyone has the right to live and work in peace and without fear of violence or threat. This attack is just appalling and I wish the driver well in recovery.”

Alliance Party representative Andrew Muir commented, “The people behind this hijacking have absolutely no regard for the lives of other people. Guns have no place on our streets and I was shocked that this hijacking was actually carried out in broad daylight.”

Mr Muir, who is councillor (designate) for Holywood, added, “I am sure that the driver of the van was extremely traumatised by this incident and I hope that he gets over his ordeal quickly.

“I would urge anybody with any information about this hijacking to contact the police. These people must be stopped before they attempt a similar crime where somebody could get injured.”