Crossgar residents ‘fearful’ after bout of serious crime

Crossgar residents ‘fearful’ after bout of serious crime

5 February 2025

RESIDENTS in Crossgar are living in fear following an upsurge in crime, it has been revealed.

The latest incident was on January 24 when four masked men broke into a house in the Killyleagh Street area around 8pm and made off with a sum of money.

The four occupants of the house were ordered to sit on the living room floor, whilst three of the intruders searched the property.

When one of the occupants tried to get up, one of the men hit him on the face and made him sit down again.

Fifteen minutes after they entered the property the men left and it was subsequently discovered that a sum of cash had been taken from a wallet.

Rowallane councillor, Callum Bowsie, has raised a number of recent serious crimes at Killyleagh Street in the village with senior police.

He said over the past three months here have been three serious robberies at this part of the village alone.

“There was also a carjacking and two burglaries, all of which involved considerable levels of violence towards residents,” said Cllr Bowsie.

“It is sad to visit some of Killyleagh Street’s longest residents and hear them say they are now fearful to live on a street that was always such a friendly street with so much charm.”

Cllr Bowsie said crime will always happen somewhere, but there was “something very wrong when in the space of three months, three serious crimes which have made national news have happened on the same street”.

He confirmed he has spoken to a local PSNI Inspector about the severity and frequency of the incidents and relayed residents’ concerns.

“Detectives from the PSNI’s Criminal Investigation Department are actively investigating all these cases and fully appreciate that these types of incidents should not be happening in a village like Crossgar,” he continued.

A number of arrests have been made in relation to the previous incidents.

Cllr Bowsie said anyone found responsible for bringing “criminal elements” into Crossgar was not welcome and local landlords were in agreement.

He added: “I’ve asked police to provide any reassurances they can to the local community and it was good to see police officers on the beat in the village last week.

“More generally, the Neighbourhood Policing Team will be working in the area to provide reassurance and minimise this type of incident occurring again.”

Police investigating the incidents are keen to hear from anyone who can assist them with their enquiries. In relation to the most incident anyone who believes they can help is asked to get in touch using the non emergency 101 number quoting 2536 of 24/01/25, or submitting a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.

Information can also be provided anonymously using the confidential Crimestoppers number 0800 555111.