Northern Ireland

Holylands: PSNI sends schools St Patrick's Day warning letter

Police in the Holylands in south Belfast on St Patrick's night last year. Picture by Declan Roughan
Police in the Holylands in south Belfast on St Patrick's night last year. Picture by Declan Roughan Police in the Holylands in south Belfast on St Patrick's night last year. Picture by Declan Roughan

LETTERS have been sent to post-primary schools urging them to warn pupils against spending St Patrick's Day in the Holylands in south Belfast.

The two-page letter was issued on behalf of the PSNI, Belfast City Council, Queen's University and Ulster University.

The Irish News yesterday revealed the scale of binge-drinking and anti-social behaviour in the mainly student area.

More than 30,000 alcohol units were seized by council officials in the past three years – the equivalent of around 15,000 cans of beer - and more than 1,800 complaints of anti-social behaviour were made.

Police and other agencies are gearing up for St Patrick's Day when crowds of young people usually descend on the area.

Concerns were heightened last year after bottles were thrown at police and an officer was injured.

Intoxicated girls as young as 13 were said to have been among the revellers.

The letter says young people continue to perceive the Holylands as a "key party destination on St Patrick's Day" and this causes "significant safety challenges".

"While it was previously assumed that the vast majority of people in the area on St Patrick's Day are students from one of the local universities, university colleges or FE colleges, it became clear last year that there were also many young people from schools and colleges across Northern Ireland."

The letter adds: "Last year an increase in young and in particular intoxicated young people in the area on St Patrick's Day created serious safety issues for emergency services.

"Ambulances called to the area to treat injured people were unable to access streets and there was significant potential for public disorder, with associated risks for everyone in the area.

"The level of anti-social behaviour and significant alcohol consumption by crowds of young people in a residential area is unacceptable."

The letter, which was issued last week, urged principals to spread the message among pupils and parents to "stay away from the Holyland area".

"We are keen to ensure that all young people are aware of the risks associated with anti-social behaviour, for their safety and future educational and career prospects."

Police were last night unable to say how many schools were sent the letter. In 2015, a similar letter aimed at sixth-formers was sent to 150 schools.