Northern Ireland

Postal worker attacked with baseball bat

Police are investigating a baseball bat attack on a postal worker.
Police are investigating a baseball bat attack on a postal worker.

POLICE are investigating a baseball bat attack on a postal worker.

The postman was sitting in his parked work van when he was targeted in the Whitewell Road area of Newtownabbey on Friday.

A PSNI spokesman said: "It was reported that, around midday, the driver of a van, who was temporarily parked on the Whitewell Road, was approached by a male.

"The man, who was armed with a baseball bat, opened the passenger door of the van and swung the bat, hitting the driver on the left arm.

"He then made off by car, driving along the Whitewell Road in the direction of the Shore Road.

"The suspect is described as being aged in his twenties, of average build, and about 6ft in height.

"I am appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident, or who noticed a vehicle or man acting suspiciously in this area, to contact us on 101."

Royal Mail last night said the attack had caused "some disruption to deliveries in a small area of Newtownabbey".

"Royal Mail has a zero tolerance to any form of abuse against our staff and our first priority as an employer is to ensure the welfare and safety of our people.

"We are now assisting the police with their enquiries and are working to quickly resume normal deliveries to all customers."

Sinn Féin Councillor Conor Maskey told BelfastLive that Wolfe Tones GAC has now offered to help deliver any post as Royal Mail was forced to temporarily suspend it's service in the area.