23/02/2012

Police Set Up Hijacking Phone Line

A phone line dedicated to catching the people carrying out carjackings across Belfast has been launched.

The inquiry line will be manned 24-hours a day, seven days a week and police hope members of the public will use the number to pass on any information they have.

The hotline follows a recent spate of hijackings in the greater Belfast area. Most recently a man was struck in the face with a hammer as two men hijacked his car in West Belfast. His car was later found on fire on Rossnareen Avenue in West Belfast.

In a previous statement PSNI Chief Superintendent Alan McCrum said the team set up to help tackle the increase in car crime is being "pro-active" on the issue.

"We will continue to make arrests until we eventually manage to try and eradicate this scourge," he added.

"I want to reassure the community that no stone will be left unturned in doing everything possible to eradicate this scourge."

This new hotline is part of the new measures unveiled by police, which they believe will help them in their search for the perpetrators of car crime.

(LB)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

03 May 2024
Scam Warning Issued Following Taylor Swift Ticket Fraud
The PSNI in Derry City & Strabane have warned people to be wary of scammers following a report this week of a person who thought they'd bought tickets online for a Taylor Swift concert only to find out they'd been swindled. According to police, it was reported that a person had found tickets for the concert on an online platform.
29 September 2017
Man Arrested After Police Car Chase In West Belfast
A man has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving after a police car chase in west Belfast. The PSNI saw a red Volkswagen driving in the Beechmount area with no lights on. They signalled for the vehicle to stop, however a pursuit commenced onto the Falls Road where it was stung by other officers from the auto crime team.
23 January 2003
Car crime victims' group lobbies Downing Street
A number of local political representatives and a west-Belfast based pressure group have met the Home Office minister in London today to urge the government to bring in tough measures against car criminals.
09 February 2005
Police target car crime in West Belfast and Lisburn
Police arrested 21 people and recovered 23 vehicles last month in its efforts to cut down car crime in West Belfast and Lisburn figures released today have shown. The figures for the work of the Auto Crime Team (ACT) also revealed that since its inception in July 2002, 623 arrests have been made and 459 vehicles recovered.
03 May 2024
Work Begins On New £9m Moira School Development
Education Minister Paul Givan has welcomed the start of construction of the new £9 million Rowandale Integrated Primary School in Moira. The investment from the Fresh Start Programme will provide a new, modern primary school with 14 classrooms and nursery unit accommodating over 340 pupils.