Arrests made following robberies

Money and cigarettes were stolen from the newsagents

Police have appealed for information after three separate armed robberies in counties Down and Antrim.

In the latest incident, a man was arrested following an attack on a bank in County Down.

Shortly before 1400 GMT on Monday, staff at the Ulster Bank in Charlotte Street, Warrenpoint were held up by an armed man.

As he made off along Church Street, he was followed by members of the public into Mary Street who held him until police arrived a few minutes later.

Locked

A sum of money and what is believed to be a replica firearm have been recovered.

Earlier on Monday, three men armed with handguns entered a newsagents in Moira, County Down.

They locked a female shop assistant and a customer into a room at the rear of the shop in the town's Main Street before escaping with a sum of money and cigarettes.

The men also took the keys of the customer's red Citroen car and drove off in it, accompanied by a Vauxhall Cavalier car.

Cashier

A short time later, police stopped the Cavalier car on the city-bound offslip of the M1 motorway at Stockman's Lane near Belfast.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of robbery.

In a separate incident, a bank in Crumlin has been robbed by two men armed with handguns.

The attack happened at 1045 GMT on Monday when the men entered the bank in the town's Main Street and forced a cashier to hand over money.

It is believed the men many have escaped in a red Citroen car that was recovered a short distance away.

A replica handgun was also recovered.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact them at Lisburn.