Mother-of-five threatened in home by group of masked men

A group of masked men broke into a house and threatened a mother in Bangor, County Down, on Tuesday evening.

The woman was at home with her five children in Carrickmannin Gardens when the incident happened at about 19:45 GMT, police said.

Det Sgt Bell called the attack "utter cowardice" and said the men have "nothing to offer their community whatsoever".

Officers have spoken to the woman and an investigation has begun.

"Incidents like this will not be tolerated in the district and no individual should be made to feel unsafe in their own home," Sgt Bell said.

"Due to this, our patrols have been increased in the area today to provide reassurance to the local community, who simply want to live in peace," he added.

The police have appealed for information.