Woman allegedly assaulted during robbery in Belfast coffee shop

A spokesperson for the PSNI said they were alerted to the incident after receiving reports of an ongoing altercation at a coffee shop on College Street yesterday afternoon.

When police arrived at the scene, the woman reported she had been assaulted by a man not known to her.

She reported the man had made off with her purse and phone in the direction of Castle Street.

A 32-year-old man was later arrested after the woman was able to identify him.

Police inspector Doran said: “At 4.15pm, we received a report of an ongoing altercation at a coffee shop on College Street.

“When officers arrived at the scene, they spoke with a woman who reported that she had been assaulted by a man, who was not known to her, who then stole her purse and phone before making off towards Castle Street.

“The woman was able to identify the man, aged 32, to police and he was arrested on suspicion of robbery and common assault. He remains in custody at this time.”

Inspector Doran continued: “Acts such as this have no place in our society and we will be relentless in our pursuit of those who perpetrate violence against women.”

Police have appealed to anyone who witnessed the incident to get in contact with them on 101.