News

Residents concern at rise in ant social behaviour following stabbing

Paul McCusker of the SDLP meets with residents in Flax street regarding constant anti social behaviour and also a recent stabbing.  Picture Mark Marlow.
Paul McCusker of the SDLP meets with residents in Flax street regarding constant anti social behaviour and also a recent stabbing. Picture Mark Marlow. Paul McCusker of the SDLP meets with residents in Flax street regarding constant anti social behaviour and also a recent stabbing. Picture Mark Marlow.

Residents living in an apartment block in north Belfast have said their lives have been made hell by an increase in anti social behaviour.

On Monday night a man aged in his 30s was stabbed multiple times in a stairwell of the flats at Brookfield Mill in Flax Street close to the Crumlin Road.

The man's injuries while serious are not thought to be life threatening.

SDLP councillor Paul McCusker said last night local residents were concerned about increased anti social behaviour in the area, which was "severely impacting on their lives".

Adding that he was "working with the police and the housing association for some time now to see what steps could be taken".

"There is massive frustration among tenants, some of who are families with young children who simply don't feel safe in the building.

"There are now six families who want to leave the building who have just become frustrated at the lack of progress in dealing with this".

NB Housing who own the properties at Brookfield Mill said the association "deeply regrets the impact of anti-social behaviour experienced by our residents in the scheme.

"The association treats all reports of anti-social behaviour very seriously and works quickly to gather information and pursue legal action where possible.

"Where we have suspicion of criminal activity all information is passed to the PSNI. The scheme is allocated in accordance with the housing selection scheme which all social housing providers must follow".

Detective Sergeant Doherty said: "Detectives are investigating the report of a stabbing of a man aged in his 30’s in an apartment block on Flax Street, Belfast, at approximately 11.15pm, Monday, September 24.

"Our investigation into this incident is ongoing and I would ask any member of the public who has any information which could be of assistance to police to contact Detective Sergeant Doherty at Musgrave on 101 quoting reference number 1516 24/09/18".