The incident happened in the early hours of Saturday morning
11:11, 25 Oct 2025Updated 13:41, 25 Oct 2025
Police stock image(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
Broken glass was held to a baby’s head during a car hijacking in Belfast city centre in the early hours of this morning.
It was reported that a delivery driver had exited his vehicle in the Donegall Place area at around 3.50am, leaving his partner and her young baby in the rear.
Two men then approached the car on foot, with one getting into the driver’s seat and driving the car away. A short distance away, the man turned and held what the woman believed to be a broken bottle or piece of broken glass to the young baby’s head.
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He told the woman to exit the car and when she and the baby did so, he drove towards Belfast City Hall. The vehicle was later found in Upper Stanfield Street.
Police described the incident as “absolutely shocking” and “extremely distressing.” They have issued an appeal for information and witnesses.
Detective Sergeant McVeagh said: “It was reported that a delivery driver had exited his vehicle, a white Vauxhall Agila, in the Donegall Place area at around 3.50am, leaving his partner and her young baby in the rear.
“Two men approached the car on foot, before one got into the driver’s seat and drove the vehicle away. The second man appeared to try to stop him, but was unsuccessful.
“A short distance away, close to Fountain Lane, the man turned and held what the woman believed to be a broken bottle or piece of broken glass to the head of the young baby and told her to get out of the car.
“When she and the baby did so, he drove towards City Hall and onto Chichester Street. The vehicle was later found in Upper Stanfield Street.”
Sinn Féin councillor Ciaran Beattie said: “This was a disgraceful incident, and my thoughts are with those impacted. Anyone with information should bring it to the PSNI.”
Mr Beattie added that a taskforce will soon be established to address the rise of crime and anti-social behaviour in Belfast city centre: “I welcome cross-party support for this proposal by Sinn Féin in council. The recent rise in crime in the city centre is concerning.
“We will continue working with others to address this and ensure our city centre is safe and welcoming.”
Detective Sergeant McVeagh continued: “This was an absolutely shocking incident, and an extremely distressing ordeal for the victims. The have been left shaken, but thankfully otherwise uninjured. Our enquiries are ongoing.
“We would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious, or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage, to contact us on 101, quoting reference 211 25/10/25.
“Alternatively, you can submit a report online at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/“
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