Local PCSP Chair condemns aggravated burglaries in Newtownabbey area

Antrim and Newtownabbey PCSP Chair, Councillor Noreen McClelland, has condemned those involved in two aggravated burglaries that took place in the Newtownabbey area on Sunday.

“These attacks must be condemned by all of us. These brutal assaults have no place in our Borough and should not be tolerated. It is clear that whoever carried out the attacks had absolutely no concern for people living in the area. My thoughts are with the victims and their families and I would urge anyone with information on these attacks to contact the PSNI or Crimestoppers immediately,” commented Councillor McClelland.

The burglaries took place in Clonmore Walk and Bawnmore and are not believed to be linked.

The District Commander for Antrim & Newtownabbey, Superintendent Sue Steen, said;

“We are currently treating both these incidents as paramilitary style attacks. These two brutal assaults left both victims with a number of injuries requiring hospital treatment.  A person’s home should be a place where they feel safe, not a place where thugs feel they can freely enter and reign their terror down on their victims. There is no place for this vicious behaviour in a civilised society.” 

“I would appeal to anyone who saw any suspicious activity or vehicles in these areas to contact detectives at Newtownabbey on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference numbers 1225 03/03/19 and 76 04/03/19.  Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”