DETECTIVES investigating four armed robberies this week in south Belfast area have arrested a man following a huge dragnet.

The robberies all took place at commercial premises.

Three occurred on Thursday, 31 March – the first one occurred at approximately 8.30 am in the Ormeau Road area; the second one occurred at approximately 9.55am in the Botanic Avenue area and the third one occurred at approximately 8.30pm, also in the Botanic Avenue area.

A fourth robbery occurred on Friday, 1 April shortly after 4 pm in the Ormeau Road area.

None of the staff working in these premises were injured, however they were left badly shaken.

The man remains in police custody at Musgrave PSNI station.

Detective Sergeant Conor Sweeney would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed any of these incidents to contact Detectives at Reactive and Organised Crime at Musgrave on the non-emergency number 101.

Or, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.