POLICE are appealing for information after a man was assaulted during a van hijacking in west Belfast in the early hours of this morning.

Detective Sergeant Keith Wilson said: “At approximately 4.50 am this morning police received a report that as a man was driving his van along the Springfield Drive an unknown man ran in front of his vehicle and broke the driver’s side window with a bottle. This man proceeded to assault the driver and then ordered him out of the van.

“The van was later found burnt out at approximately 5.15 am in the Distillery Street area.

“The hijacker is described as being approximately 5’10”/5’11” tall, clean shaven, of slim to medium build and aged in his mid 20’s. He was wearing a white/grey Adidas top and dark coloured tracksuit bottoms.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or observed the car travelling between Springfield Drive and Distillery Street to contact Detectives from Reactive and Organised Crime at Musgrave on the non-emergency number 101.

“Or, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.”