Strabane: Two arrested after axe-wielding men burgle flat

Two men armed with an axe smashed their way into an apartment in a "frightening" incident on Easter Sunday morning, police have said.

It happened in Strabane in County Tyrone at about 07:30 BST.

Communal areas of the building on Main Street were damaged and objects were thrown at the police through the apartment windows, which were smashed.

Police said the men threatened officers and appeared to be armed with more weapons they had found in the flat.

The incident lasted for an hour.

A 26-year-old man and a 36-year-old man were arrested and are receiving medical attention, said the police.

During the incident the police told other occupants of the building to keep their doors locked and stay away from windows for their own safety.

Ch Insp Luke Moyne described the incident as "frightening for local residents" on "what should have been a peaceful Easter Sunday morning".

"We are working hard to obtain a full picture of and establish a motive for the circumstances surrounding the crime," he added.

The 26-year-old man who was arrested is suspected of burglary, criminal damage, assault on police and breach of licence conditions.

The 36-year-old man who was arrested is suspected of burglary.