Northern Ireland

Police investigate raid on Belfast clothes shop

 SD Kells on Bedford Street
 SD Kells on Bedford Street  SD Kells on Bedford Street

Police are investigating reports of a robbery at a clothes shop in Belfast city centre.

SD Kells on Bedford Street was targeted in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Detective Inspector Andy George said a car was reversed into the front door of the shop before items of clothing were removed.

“We received a report around 1am that a Vauxhall Corsa had reversed into the front door of the shop causing the window to shatter,” he said.

“A number of suspects then removed items of clothing from the store placing them in the boot of the car.

“Some of the clothes were recovered after they fell out of the vehicle as the thieves made their escape.”

The vehicle, which had been reported stolen from the Newtownabbey area on Friday, was later recovered in the St Peters Court area of Belfast.

Mr George said: “I am appealing for anyone with information regarding this crime to contact us.

“Police are aware that of footage of this incident is circulating online and I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who has recorded dash-cam or mobile phone footage. Please call 101, quoting reference 1515 04/04/20.”

Video footage is circulating on social media which appears to show a car outside the shop before departing at speed.

The video was posted on Twitter by Chris Suitor, who runs a menswear shop close to SD Kells.

He voiced his disgust at the incident, expressing solidarity with the shop owners and urging anyone with information to assist the police investigation.