Manhunt launched following double attempted car-jacking in Lanarkshire

A search has been launched for two men who attempted to rob a car and open the doors of a separate car in Lanarkshire.

Officers were first called to Coatbank Street at around 10.40pm on Wednesday after two men threatened a 21-year-old and attempted to steal his vehicle from a car park.

The man was able to get away from the men without anything being taken.

Police were then called after two men attempted to open the rear doors of a parked vehicle that two women, aged 18 and 20, were sat in in Bellziehill Road, Bellshill, at around 1.20am on Thursday.

Both incidents are being treated as linked.

The women and man were not injured in either incident however all three were left “shaken.”

Officers are searching for two men described as being in their late teens or early 20s, dressed in black with one of the men being bald.

They were travelling in a blue SUV which was driven by a third man, and they were last seen leaving towards New Edinburgh Road towards the roundabout for the A721 and Bellshill.

Detective constable Billy Murray, of Coatbridge CID, said: “This was a terrifying experience for three people who were going about their business and it is vital that we establish the full circumstances of what happened and trace the men responsible.

“I would like to speak to anyone who was in the areas of Coatbank Street and Bellziehill Road between 10.30pm on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, and 1.30am on Thursday, December 7, 2023 who saw or heard anything suspicious.

“Similarly, anyone with private CCTV, doorbell footage or dashcam of the area is urged to review the footage and bring anything significant to our attention.”

Please contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting Thursday, December 7, and incident number 0041 for Coatbridge or 0182 for Bellshill.