Three arrested after man with sword threatens shop staff in Co Down

In the North, police are investigating after a man with a sword threatened staff at two separate premises yesterday.

Shortly before 10.20pm last night, a man carrying a sword entered a food outlet on Commons Road in Ballykinler and threatened staff.

He was chased from the premises and made off empty handed.

Police then received a report of a man acting suspiciously close to an off-licence in the Lower Square in Castlewellan shortly before 11pm.

A few minutes later, a man, again carrying a sword, entered a service station on the Newcastle Road in Castlewellan and threatened staff.

He made off with a number of scratch cards.

Police arrested a 23-year-old woman and two men, aged 18 and 20, a short time later on suspicion of robbery and attempted robbery.

All three suspects remain in custody and police are appealing for witnesses.