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Large groups of teens gathering in north Belfast after pre-arranging fights on social media

DUP assembly member William Humphrey is to meet with the PSNI to discuss the issue of large groups of youths gathering in north Belfast
DUP assembly member William Humphrey is to meet with the PSNI to discuss the issue of large groups of youths gathering in north Belfast DUP assembly member William Humphrey is to meet with the PSNI to discuss the issue of large groups of youths gathering in north Belfast

CLAIMS by the DUP that large groups of youths gathering in north Belfast this week are rival sectarian gangs have been disputed by nationalists.

SDLP assembly member Nichola Mallon questioned the claim by William Humphrey and said police told her that the groups of youths who had gathered near the loyalist Westland estate, after pre-arranging a fight on social media, were not rival sectarian groups.

Mr Humphrey, a DUP assembly member, had asked the PSNI to increase patrols in the area amid claims residents had suffered "disgraceful and totally unacceptable" intimidation.

The MLA, who will today be part of a DUP delegation meeting senior police officers to discuss the issue, claimed around "40 nationalist youths" had entered the Westland estate on Tuesday night "carrying various improvised weapons.

"One female resident has described persuading youths aged around 13-14 years old, both boys and girls, to give up weapons including a broken snooker cue, a crow bar, a piece of copper pipe and a door saddle," he said.

"Eventually, as the police arrived, the nationalist youths took off down the Westland Road".

Mr Humphrey said a similar incident took place on Wednesday night however the arrival of the PSNI prevented "a worse situation and attack from developing".

He said: "It is disgraceful and totally unacceptable that residents should have to face such intimidation".

"I urge young people not to involve themselves in such sectarian and intimidatory attacks, through which they risk gaining a criminal record. I also call on parents and all people of influence within the community to do what they can to bring such attacks and gatherings to an end".

However, SDLP assembly member, Mrs Mallon yesterday said that police had confirmed to her that this was not a sectarian issue.

"I have been contacted by residents and I have also contacted the PSNI and this is crowds of youths gathering for fights pre-arranged on social media," she said.

"I would urge parents in north Belfast to know where their children are and explain to them that this type of behaviour is dangerous. I would also urge residents, when they see large crowds of youths gathering, to report it to police."

She added: "It doesn't help the situation for people to be making public comments that this is rival sectarian gangs because police have confirmed to me it is not."