Alliance politician shaken after hijack bid ordeal
A WELL-known Alliance MLA has become the latest victim of car hijackers in south Belfast.
Anna Lo was confronted by a youth armed with a knife in the Lawrence Street area of the city at about 12.45pm yesterday.
However, the would-be carjacker fled the scene without taking the car, leaving Ms Lo uninjured but shaken by the ordeal.
Speaking out after the attack, Ms Lo said more still needed to be done to tackle the phenomenon that has escalated since the beginning of the new year.
“I am not the only person that has suffered such an ordeal and my thoughts continue to be with anyone who has suffered at the hands of those involved in such acts,” she said.
“This incident serves to highlight the need for everyone to be vigilant in relation to carjackings.
“We need to have those behind such acts brought to justice.”
Ms Lo urged anyone who has been subjected to such an incident to contact police and called on witnesses to come forward.
“People need to give the police all the help they can to catch those behind this spate of carjackings and attempted carjackings,” she said.
“This remains a real problem in Belfast, particularly south Belfast. It is particularly worrying that such incidents can happen in broad daylight in very busy areas.”
Police who are investigating the attempted car theft say the youth ran off towards the Cromwell Road area.
Earlier this week, a senior PSNI officer said enhanced police presence on the streets of Belfast was acting as a “visible deterrent” to would-be carjackers.
Giving an update on the impact of a dedicated police taskforce, Chief Superintendent Alan McCrum confirmed that four males – one of whom was a teenager – have been charged with offences in relation to vehicle theft.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
