Couple face son 'hostage' threat

The couple were threatened at their home in Springfield Park

A couple in their late 50s have been threatened by a masked and armed gang in west Belfast, who claimed they were holding the couple's son hostage.

Four men entered the house in Springfield Park at about 2100 GMT on Saturday night.

It is understood some of the men were armed with handguns. The gang claimed they were holding the couple's son and demanded money.

The gang left empty-handed. The couple phoned their son and found he was safe.

A police spokeswoman said: "Enquiries are continuing and police are appealing to anyone who was in Springfield Park at the time to contact them."