Swann urges community to become ‘police eyes and ears’

Mr Robin Swann, the North Antrim Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member and Chairman of the Stormont Employment and Learning Committee, has urged constituents to “become the eyes and ears of the PSNI and report any suspicious activity, especially in premises during the very busy festive shopping period”.

Assemblyman Swann, who is UUP Chief Whip and North Antrim UUP Chairman, made his appeal in the aftermath of an armed robbery at a jewellers in Ballymoney.

In that incident, three men, one armed with a suspected firearm, entered the shop on Victoria Street just before 5 pm on Monday. They threatened members of staff, who were forced to lie on the ground. The gang left with a number of items of jewellery.

Mr Swann said: “I fully support the appeal for witnesses from the police to get in contact with them as soon as possible.

“As we head into the exceptionally busy festive shopping period of Christmas and the New Year sales, I also appeal to constituents to become the eyes and ears of the PSNI when they are doing their shopping and report anything suspicious to the police.

“In this tough economic climate, our North Antrim shop owners are under enough financial pressure without the added stress and strain of having to deal with criminals. I urge all constituents to do their civic duty in this matter,” said Assemblyman Swann.