Belfast taxi driver faced robbery and hijacking following assault by two men

A Belfast taxi driver faced a robbery and attempted hijacking following an assault by two men on Thursday.

Police are now appealing to anyone that may have seen the incident in the Newcastle, County Down area.

Two men were arrested and taken into custody, but have since been released on bail.

A spokesperson from Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) Newry, Mourne & Down, said via social media: “We are appealing for witnesses following an attempted hijacking in the Tullybrannigan Road area of Newcastle on the morning of Thursday 22 October.

“It was reported at around 7.00am that a taxi driver had picked up two men and two women in the Iris Street area of West Belfast and took them to Newcastle, Co Down.

“When nearly at their destination, one of the men asked the driver to pull the vehicle over. When the taxi was stopped, one of the males threatened him with a broken bottle and demanded he get out of the car.

“The two men began assaulting the driver when he refused to leave the vehicle, they took a sum of cash and made off from the area. When all passengers were out of the vehicle, the taxi driver drove away from the area.

“Two males were arrested and taken into custody in relation to the incident, but have since been released on bail, pending further inquiries.

“If anyone has any information in relation to the event, or witnessed anything suspicious in the area at the time of the incident, please call the Police non-emergency number 101, quoting the reference number 175 of 22/10/20.”