Northern Ireland

PSNI 'spoke with' group removing UVF flags in Belfast

Flags near Cantrell Close in south-east Belfast
Flags near Cantrell Close in south-east Belfast Flags near Cantrell Close in south-east Belfast

THE PSNI has said its officers "spoke with" a group removing UVF flags from lampposts outside a shared housing development in south-east Belfast.

The flags were erected beside Cantrell Close where last year four Catholic families were forced to flee their homes following threats blamed on loyalist paramilitaries.

They were put up overnight on Ravenhill Avenue and were condemned by politicians, but on Wednesday morning just hours later, several men were seen taking them down.

Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson said the flags were "not the work" of the UVF, and were removed after a loyalist group had "discussions with people who would mediate on behalf of those linked to east Belfast UVF".

Over the years police have faced calls to intervene and remove contentious flags from public spaces.

But the PSNI has said it will only remove them where there are "substantial risks to public safety" or a criminal offence is thought to have occurred.

In a statement on the latest flags issue, PSNI Chief Inspector David Moore said "police action on its own is not sufficient".

"While on patrol in East Belfast on Wednesday May 16, police officers spoke with a number of individuals who were removing flags from lampposts in the area," he said.

"While in this instance, we had not received any complaints about any flags, we will continue to work with communities and partners and respond to any issue where there is a concern for public safety or where it is believed a criminal offence has occurred.

"The flying of flags in public places is an issue that provokes a range of strong responses and very different viewpoints. The type of flags flown, how, where and when they are flown are all important considerations.

"Our experience shows that the approach most likely to provide for public safety and prevention of disorder is based on the principles of engagement between local communities working with agencies including local police and resulting in local decision-making.

"Police action on its own is not sufficient – instead we all need to work together."

Alliance councillor Michael Long said he spotted a group of about six men with a ladder removing the flags when he briefly visited the area, but did not see police.

He said he believed police could have removed the flags themselves because they promoted an illegal organisation.

"My concern is that it appears to be some people put flags up and take them down with impunity and everybody else as to just put up with it," he said.

"It doesn't look particularly helpful if the police look kind of helpless in these situations and unable to act."

He said there was a "real need" for the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition – a Stormont body formed in 2016 which has been examining the divisive issues – to conclude its report and make recommendations.