Female van driver punched in the face

The first occurred last Thursday at Blacks Road when a woman van driver was hijacked at knifepoint and her van stolen at approximately 5.30am.

The woman was in a white Transit type and was targeted when it had stopped by two males who punched her in the face.

The men got into the driver’s seat and passenger’s seat, keeping the woman between them.

They then punched her and forced her from the vehicle at the Old Golf Course Road where she was found by a passing motorist. She sustained bruising to her face and was left extremely shaken but was not taken to hospital.

The van took then headed into Upper Dunmurry Lane and onto Cherry Park. It was found abandoned in Glasvey Drive at approximately 6.10am.

The first hijacker is described as wearing a navy or dark top and is in his twenties. The second was wearing a red coloured scarf and is described as being in his thirties, of stocky build, with strawberry blond hair and a scar on his left temple.

Police in Lisburn say incidents of this nature are extremely rare and motorists should not be unduly alarmed. They believe the thieves targeted the van and not the female driver specifically.

In an unconnected incident a woman was attacked by an unknown male in Upper Dunmurry Lane on Monday night.

At around 7pm the 26-year-old was walking along when the man grabbed her from behind. As she struggled with her attacker a car pulled up alongside, startling him and he ran off. It’s believed the assailant made off in the direction of the golf club.

The victim wasn’t injured but was left badly shaken by the incident.

The male attacker is described as in his late 20s, 5’ 11” of a medium build with black hair. He was wearing a bright pink t-shirt and black tracksuit bottoms.

Police are keen to hear from witnesses and are especially keen to identify the driver and occupants of the car which stopped. Officers stressed they are seeking the driver and occupants as witnesses only and do not believe they were involved in the attack.

Police can be contacted at Dunmurry police station on 0845 600 8000. Alternatively information about crime can be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 111 555.