Major public appeal for information after cops find shoes and hat abandoned in Co Down as search continues

A major appeal for information has been launched in Co Down by the PSNI after the discovery of an abandoned pair of shoes and hat.

The discovery was made on Tuesday in the Bloody Bridge area of ​​Newcastle.

The PSNI launched a public appeal following the discovery, urging anyone with information to come forward.

The brown shoes and blue hat were discovered “near the first wooden bridge” that led up the mountain trail from the Bloody Bridge neighborhood parking lot.

Despite extensive searches and investigation, police could not find the owner of the clothes and shoes.

A spokesperson said: “We have carried out a thorough search of the area and carried out the necessary inquiries but have not yet identified the owner.

“If you recognize the hat and shoes, or know anything about its owner, please call 101 and quote reference 761.”

Separately, five PSNI officers were injured in a “melee” outside a Belfast nightclub earlier this week.

The fight, which involved around 50 people, spread outside a premises in Bradbury Place on Sunday morning.

A police spokesperson said: “Shortly after 2am a nightclub received a report that a fight had broken out at the premises.

“Those involved had been removed from the club by security before police arrived.

“However, the fight continued in the street.”

The spokesperson continued: “It is estimated that around 50 people were involved in the melee, which escalated into attacks on police, with five officers injured.

“The unrest continued for a prolonged period before calm was restored.”

And speaking on Sunday, they said: “Two men have been arrested and are currently in police custody. »

CALL FOR IMAGES

An appeal has been launched for anyone who may have captured mobile phone footage to make it available to police.

Chief Inspector Claire Hamilton said: “I would like anyone who captured mobile phone or dashcam footage at Bradbury Place between 2am and 3am this morning to be able to share it with us.

“Public unrest like last night is not what we want to see on the streets of our city.

“We want Belfast to be a safe and enjoyable nightlife destination for bar and nightclub patrons and it must be said that this disruption is not typical of our night-time economy.

“Anyone who can assist our investigation in any way is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 196 01/12/24.”

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