The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is investigating an armed robbery attempt that took place at a filling station on Mallusk Road in Newtownabbey on Wednesday, 26 November 2025. The incident occurred during morning rush hour, around 8am.

Four men, wearing dark clothing and balaclavas, attempted to seize cash from security personnel servicing an ATM at the location. According to Detective Inspector Sweeney, two of the suspects threatened the security staff with firearms and held them at gunpoint for nearly ten minutes.

The suspects ultimately left the scene empty-handed after failing to bypass the security van’s stringent safety measures. They drove off in a dark-coloured vehicle in the direction of Glengormley.

Detective Inspector Sweeney emphasised the seriousness of the ordeal, which also involved a member of the public being threatened, despite no physical injuries being sustained. "The robbery occurred during morning rush hour, when many people would be stopping at the filling station as they made their way to work or took their children to school, and as such we could have been looking at much more serious consequences today," he stated.

The police are appealing to anyone who was in the vicinity and noticed any suspicious activity around the filling station this morning, or in recent days, to come forward. They are also asking residents in the general area with doorbell cameras or drivers with relevant dashcam footage to check their devices, as the information could be invaluable.

The public is also urged to be vigilant regarding any unusual activity around cash-in-transit vans and to report anything that does not seem right immediately.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting reference 176 26/11/25.

Any information can also be provided using the online non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org