Joyriders speed through densely populated area, abandon car and then set it on fire - PSNI arrest teenagers aged 15, 16 and 17

The incident occurred on Stewartstown Road in west Belfast.

Chief Inspector Gary Reid appealed to anyone who may have seen the car in the area to come forward.

“Following a report from a member of the public about a car being driven dangerously on the Stewartstown Road and subsequently abandoned and set on fire just after 11.30pm last night, local officers have arrested three males aged 15, 16 and 17 years of age on suspicion of a number of offences," he said.

“I am appealing for anyone who saw the car, a dark coloured Renault Clio being driven dangerously yesterday evening, have any dashcam footage, or saw anyone getting out of the car when it was abandoned in the car park of premises on the Stewartstown Road yesterday evening, to please call us on 101 quoting reference number 2163 of 22 April.

“Also, I would encourage all drivers to help us prevent this type of incident by always locking your vehicle when unattended and removing anything of value from being on display - opportunistic criminals will try door handles and steal anything of value," he added.

For useful tips on how to protect your vehicle visit www.psni.police.uk