MORE than 500 people have attended a major public rally in west Belfast to highlight recent attacks on elderly and vulnerable people in the area.
The rally outside the Maureen Sheehan Centre on Albert Street on Wednesday night was organised after a pensioner, householders and motorists were targeted in a crime spree over the weekend.
Extra police patrols are to be set up in the area after pensioner Maureen Shepherd was hospitalised for a broken jaw and damaged eye socket following a mugging on Falls Road on Friday evening.
The 76-year-old was just returning from a hair appointment when thieves stole money and her phone.
Over the weekend, car windows were smashed, people attempted to hijack vehicles and broke into homes in the area.
Community worker Gerard Fitzpatrick, who helped organise the rally, last night read a message from Mrs Shepherd who thanked well-wishers for their support.
She said the cards, presents and messages of support she had received from both sides of the community "mean a great deal to me" and added that she hoped that the attack on her "would be the last".
Mr Fitzpatrick said he was pleased by the large turn-out.
He said the rally "sent a clear message to the community and other communities facing these kind of issues".
He added there was no justification for the recent crimes.
"There is no reason for it at all," he said. "The people behind this are just scum."
Mr Fitzpatrick said he hoped a public meeting would be held on Tuesday to allow residents to put forward suggestions on how to tackle anti-social behaviour, including possible community watch schemes.
Personal alarms have already been distributed to some pensioners.
Near the end of the rally, the crowd heard tyres screeching in a nearby street and feared that a car had been stolen.
A police spokesman said they had received a report of a car driving dangerously in the area at about 7.30pm on Wednesday.
However Mr Fitzpatrick said the car belonged to a driver whose foot had slipped for a moment.
