Northern Ireland

Man has rope wrapped around his neck in attempted carjacking in Co Down

Two male victims attacked with a wheel brace, while one had rope wrapped around neck

Attempted car jacking happened in the centre of Crossgar
Attempted car jacking happened in the centre of Crossgar

Four people arrested following an attempted violent carjacking in a Co Down village have been released on bail to allow for further police enquiries.

Two men, aged 33 and 21, and two women, aged 35 and 43, were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including assault and possession of an offensive weapon.

During the incident, which took place around 9.15pm on Tuesday, the victims were attacked with a wheel brace and one had a rope wrapped around his neck.

The attempted theft and attack on the two men in their 20s happened on Killyleagh Street in Crossgar.

The vehicle was parked in a layby when two men appeared from a nearby alleyway and jumped into the rear.

Join the Irish News Whatsapp channel

They began assaulting the occupants with a wheel brace, with one of the victims also having a rope placed around his neck.

Following a struggle, the two victims managed to jump out of the car but they were followed and the attack continued on the street.



During this assault, a female jumped into the car and attempted to drive it away. A second female armed with a screwdriver emerge from the adjacent alleyway and started making threats.

All four suspects then fled, with one stealing a mobile phone from the vehicle. Police responded and were able to quickly find and arrest four suspects. Two knives, a wheel brace and a screwdriver were seized.

The PSNI said enquiries remained ongoing and “police would appeal to anyone with any information which might assist them, to contact 101, and quote reference number 1721 of 08/10/24″.