POLICE AND politicians have urged drivers, particularly women, to be extremely vigilant following a spate of car hijackings and attempted hijackings in Belfast in the past two weeks.
The first such recent incident happened on the Shankill Road on January 3rd and since then have been 11 so-called “carjackings” or attempted vehicle hijackings in Belfast, with most of the victims women.
The most recent hijackings were on Friday. Early on Friday morning on John Street, off the Falls Road, a man wearing a hooded top confronted a woman parking her car. She struggled with him but eventually he made off with her car.
On Friday night, an attempt was made to drag a woman from her car in Grosvenor Road, west Belfast. She resisted but her attacker stole items from her car. Also on Friday night, a group of men beat up a motorist in north Belfast before stealing his car.
The “carjackings” have been in various parts of Belfast and while police do not believe a specific gang is involved, they have appealed to motorists to be careful.
PSNI Chief Supt Alan Todd said carjackings tended to be “opportunist” crimes. Motorists should lock doors and windows when driving and be careful not to have items such as handbags, mobile phones or laptops exposed in their vehicles”, he added.
SDLP policing spokesman Conall McDevitt said drivers should carry out basic security measures when on the road. “Lock your doors and make sure all valuables are kept out of sight and out of reach,” he said.
“The nature of these attacks is opportunistic but following the basic procedures, especially in slow-moving or stopped traffic and at junctions, will help keep you safe,” he added.
Alliance Assembly member Anna Lo also called for vigilance.
“This type of crime can be a particularly horrific experience for the victim, so I hope that those people responsible for these car hijackings are swiftly brought to justice before the courts,” she said.
