Long says car hijacking could have injured young child

Alliance deputy leader Naomi Long MLA has expressed her shock at the car hijacking incident last night where a young child was still in the car when it was taken. The car was hijacked in Belfast city centre near central train station but was later found in the short strand area of east Belfast with the young child still on board.

The East Belfast MLA said: “The people who hijacked this vehicle last night have absolutely no concern for the consequences of their actions. This young child could have seriously hurt or even worse.

“They may not have known that this 19 month old child was in the car when they took it but the fact that they just abandoned the car with the young child still on board without phoning the police show what total disregard they have for other people.

“I am just relieved that this young child appears to have suffered no injury but he may have suffered trauma from the ordeal. My thoughts are with his family who must have been worried out of their mind last night.

“I would urge anybody with any information about last night’s incident to contact the police. Those behind this hijacking must be stopped before they do something worse.”

ENDS