Hostage fear for Belfast victims of armed raid

An armed gang claimed they were holding the victims’ son hostage during an attempted robbery, it was revealed today.

A total of four masked men, some brandishing handguns, demanded money from a couple in their 50s at their home in Springfield Park, West Belfast, shortly after 9pm last night.

No money was handed over, the couple were not harmed and their son was safe.

Meanwhile, police also appealed for information after a car hijacking in the Springfield Road at around 9.30pm yesterday.

A woman in her 30s, driving a Mitsubishi Shogun, was flagged down near the Flush Bend.

Officers said three men got in and travelled a short distance before coming across a police checkpoint. The men then forced the woman from the car and sped off.

The vehicle was recovered in Clonard Heights and police and Army technical officers are examining it.

There is no evidence at this stage suggesting the two incidents were linked.

Detectives appealed for information.