An armed gang shut three women in a car boot while they attacked two men who were also in the vehicle.

The violent incident happened in Randalstown Forest, Co Antrim, last night.

The two men, aged 21 and 26, and three woman, all aged 19, were in the parked car when three men wielding baseball bats and suspected firearms approached at around 10pm.

The attackers, who were dressed in black and wore balaclavas, assaulted the male occupants of the vehicle.

They forced the women into the boot of the car and closed it while the assaults were taking place.

The two men were taken to hospital for treatment but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The three women were not injured in the ordeal.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police on 0845 600 8000 or anonymously through independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Belfast Telegraph