Three men threatened strangers in Lanarkshire as they tried to steal car and get inside another.

In the first incident, two men threatened a 21-year-old man and tried to steal his car from a car park on Coatbank Street, Coatbridge.

This took place around 10.40pm on Wednesday, December 6.

The driver was able to get away from the men without anything being taken.

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In the second incident, two women, aged 18 and 20, were parked in a car park in Bellziehill Road, Bellshill, around 1.20am on Thursday, December 7.

A vehicle was parked next to the women and two men got out. They tried to open the rear doors of the car the women were in, but they were locked.

The men then left on New Edinburgh Road towards the roundabout for the A721 and Bellshill.

Police have launched a joint investigation and say the two attempts are linked.

Nobody was injured, however, all three in the cars were left shaken.

The suspects are described as late teens or early 20s and dressed in black. One of them was bald.

They were travelling in a blue SUV which was driven by a third man.

Detective Constable Billy Murray, of Coatbridge CID, said: “This was a terrifying experience for three people who were going about their business and it is vital that we establish the full circumstances of what happened and trace the men responsible.

“I would like to speak to anyone who was in the areas of Coatbank Street and Bellziehill Road between 10.30pm on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, and 1.30am on Thursday, December 7, 2023 who saw or heard anything suspicious.

“Similarly, anyone with private CCTV, doorbell footage or dashcam of the area is urged to review the footage and bring anything significant to our attention.”

You can contact the force on 101, quoting Thursday, December 7, and incident number 0041 for Coatbridge or 0182 for Bellshill.