Northern Ireland

Police make two arrests following road traffic collisions in north Belfast

Officers attended the scene of numerous collisions in the Crumlin Road area of north Belfast
Officers attended the scene of numerous collisions in the Crumlin Road area of north Belfast Officers attended the scene of numerous collisions in the Crumlin Road area of north Belfast

POLICE have arrested two men after multiple road traffic collisions involving a stolen car.

Officers attended the scene of numerous collisions in the Crumlin Road area of north Belfast just before 12.45pm yesterday.

Inspector Paul Noble said a grey Ford Kuga, which had been previously stolen, was driven recklessly and at speed in the area of the Ardoyne shops and on Crumlin Road.

This car collided with four other vehicles, causing damage to a blue Hyundai Getz, a grey Ford Fiesta, a beige Ford Ka and a red Nissan Almera.

A 24 year old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle-taking, causing injury. A 21 year old man was arrested on suspicion of offences including burglary, dangerous driving and driving when unfit through drink or drugs.

He was also treated in hospital for injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.

"This type of criminal activity can have a devastating and detrimental impact on innocent people in the area and these ‘death drivers’ are not wanted in the north Belfast community. They have no thought for local people or for the consequences of their actions," Mr Noble said.

"Police have worked and will continue to work with community and criminal justice partners to take stolen cars off the streets, arrest offenders and bring them before the courts."

SDLP councillor Paul McCusker said some people had to be rescued from their cars.

"Car crime has devastated families across our communities, leaving people without loved ones and others with life altering injuries," he said.

"Communities across the Oldpark area, in particular, have been subject to a marked increase in car crime and reckless driving. This needs to stop before we’re dealing with another death on our roads.

“I recently raised this with senior police and I am calling on the PSNI to do more to prevent this happening again. This behaviour is totally unacceptable."