Masked gang go on hijacking spree

[POSTMAN]

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A gang of masked men attacked seven vehicles during a nine-hour period in Lurgan, police have said.

The hijackers targeted people working for NIE, Royal Mail, Northern Ireland Water and other local businesses.

In one instance, the gang of between two and four tried to hijack a car with a four-year-old boy on board.

On a separate occasion, residents came to the assistance of a postman, and fought off the would-be hijackers. The police have condemned the attacks.

Chief Inspector Jason Murphy appealed for information.

"These incidents caused disruption across Lurgan to local community services and also to motorway users as a section of the M1 had to be closed following the discovery of one of the hijacked vehicles," he said.

"This type of behaviour only creates tension within the community and also causes great distress to those people who are innocently caught up in these incidents.

"The victims in these cases were persons going about their daily work, working within, and for the benefit of, the community."

Vehicles were hijacked at Deramore Drive, Victoria Street and Lough Road. Two have since been recovered.

Attempted hijackings were made on vehicles at Ennis Close, North Street, Antrim Road and Victoria Street.

A man who attempted to hijack a vehicle at Victoria Street about 2020 BST is believed to have been injured as a result of being thrown from the vehicle.

The attacks came following security alerts which caused disruption in Belfast on Monday.

[DGP1]

On a separate occasion, residents came to the assistance of a postman, and fought off the would-be hijackers

I was told that if someone wanted the van - just give it to them, it's not worth injury or death over something that can be replaced.

[tiredwalker]

On a separate occasion, residents came to the assistance of a postman, and fought off the would-be hijackers

I was told that if someone wanted the van - just give it to them, it's not worth injury or death over something that can be replaced.

Too right, RM would not thank us for protecting there property anyway so we must just protect ourselves who cares how much post is in it at the time, my lifes worth so much more!