Police appeal for information after an assault and hijacking in Glengormley on Tuesday

DETECTIVES are hunting hammer-wielding thugs behind an assault and hijacking in Glengormley on Tuesday evening.

Police received a report around 6.15 pm that three men, one armed with a hammer, had entered a house at Mayfield Road and assaulting a male occupant.

They left the house and are believed to have been involved in the hijacking of a green coloured Ford Fiesta car.

The car was parked nearby in Mayfield Avenue when the passenger window was smashed with the hammer and the driver pulled from the vehicle.

A short time later the car was found on fire in the Rosapenna Court area of north Belfast.

Police have isssued descriptions of the three men.

The first man involved was described as being around 6ft tall, of medium build and was wearing a grey coloured hooded top.

The second was also around 6ft tall and of medium build. The third man involved was wearing a black top and bottoms and a baseball cap.

The occupant of the house was later treated in hospital for injuries that are not thought to be life threatening.

Detectives have asked anyone who may have witnessed any of the incidents, or who has any information, to contact them at Newtownabbey PSNI station on 0845 600 8000.