Pair escape 'tiger kidnap' ordeal

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6920668.stm

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Two members of a bank employee's family in County Down have been abducted in an attempt to force him to hand over money.

The so-called tiger kidnapping incident happened in Moira on Thursday, but the details have only just emerged.

The two hostages were kidnapped early that morning, but they managed to escape and call the police.

No money was taken and no-one in the family was injured, according to the police.

Last November, the police said cases of so-called tiger robberies in Northern Ireland had risen sharply, with 11 cases in the previous 12 months.

It is understood at least four of those robberies took place in north Belfast.

Earlier this year, traders in Londonderry were given advice on how to counter the threat from such kidnappings, following a spate of incidents in that area.

The tactic used by criminals is known as tiger kidnapping or tiger robberies, due to the way the beast follows its prey before it strikes.