Police series of house attacks in Antrim overnight

POLICE investigating a series of house attacks in Antrim overnight have arrested a man and a teenage girl on suspicion of burglary.

The first incident at Firmount Drive occurred shortly after 9pm on Monday when a group smashed eight windows and attempted to force their way into house.

During the attack, a 35-year-old man as assaulted and received injuries to his hand.

A 44-year-old man was arrested and taken into custody on suspicion of aggravated burglary, resisting arrest, disorderly behaviour and assaulting police.

A 16-year-old girl was also arrested on Ballycraigy Road early on Tuesday morning also on suspicion of aggravated burglary in connection with the incident.

During a second an upstairs flat on Monday night, a group of people are believed to have made an attempt to break into the property around 10pm.

Ten minutes later it was reported that a third property, believed to be unoccupied, had been deliberately set alight.

Three fire crews, two from Antrim and one from Ballymena, helped put out the fire.

The Fire and Rescue Service said that an aerial appliance had to be used as the extensive fire meant the roof was unsafe for crews to access.

The fire caused smoke damage to the house next door.

Police say investigations are at an early stage and officers are working to establish the circumstances of the attacks.

They are appealing for anyone with any information that could assist the investigation to contact them.