Northern Ireland

Police unable to confirm arrests over Pitt Park loyalist 'show of strength'

A gang of men were filmed in the Pitt Park area of east Belfast last week
A gang of men were filmed in the Pitt Park area of east Belfast last week A gang of men were filmed in the Pitt Park area of east Belfast last week

POLICE have refused to clarify if anyone has been arrested after a loyalist show of strength in east Belfast, despite the chief constable vowing to put the paramilitaries involved "on the back foot".

Around 50 people wearing masks marched around the Pitt Park area off Newtownards Road on February 2.

The display has been linked to increased tensions between two rival factions of the UVF.

At one stage just six officers faced the large group, with officers believed to have thwarted an attempted attack on a house in the area.

In the wake of the tense scenes, The Ballymac Community Hub at Pitt Park - which contains a Troubles museum filled with UVF memorabilia - announced it would remain closed "due to threats being made to members of staff and volunteers".

The group's latest message on social media said it remains closed, but it is continuing to deliver food packages to residents as normal after assistance from other organisations.

Days earlier the house of a mother-of-three in nearby Convention Walk said her house was targeted and her children "showered with glass" when windows were smashed.

Chief Constable Simon Byrne insisted afterwards the PSNI "are the people that police east Belfast" and "there is no place for thuggery and intimidation and we want to keep these people on the back foot while we remain on the front foot".

However, more than a week on police could not confirm whether any arrests has been made.

Detective Chief Superintendent John McVea said the investigation "is continuing at pace and we are examining all available evidence in order to determine who was there and which offences have taken place".

He made another appeal for information about "the incident or criminality in the area".

East Belfast ACT, an organisation that provides mediation in the area, said it was "aware of tensions," which "have arisen following two violent attacks on family homes by a small group of criminal agitators".

* This article was amended on February 10