Hijackings and bank raids soar almost 20% in a year

THERE has been a huge rise in the number of bank robberies and related hijackings, in recent months according to the latest crime figures.

Statistics on reported crime for the period April to June also show a sharp rise in murder threats and aggravated burglaries.

On the positive side, there has been a substantial fall in the number of homicides and recorded sexual offences over the same period.