Northern Ireland

Up to 40 young people gather for second night of confrontation at Belfast's Broadway roundabout

The scenes at the Broadway roundabout were captured by some onlookers on Saturday
The scenes at the Broadway roundabout were captured by some onlookers on Saturday
By Suzanne McGonagle

Up to 40 young people gathered for a second night of confrontation at a busy Belfast road junction, police have said.

Two groups gathered in the Glenmachan Street and Broadway area on Sunday evening and "were attempting to confront each other".

It came just a day after significant numbers of young people were involved in what appeared to be sectarian clashes in the same area.

Videos posted on social media on Saturday evening showed groups of youths crossing the Broadway roundabout and throwing missiles.

In a statement on Monday, police urged young people to "think about the potential consequences of their actions" after officers had been called to the area for a second consecutive night.

A PSNI spokeswoman said: "Police received a report of up to 40 young people within the vicinity of Glenmachan Street and Broadway area of Belfast at approximately 5.45pm last night, Sunday October 15th.

"Local neighbourhood officers from south and west Belfast attended, where two groups were attempting to confront each other.

Read more:

  • Westlink: Appeal for calm after violent clashes at Broadway roundabout
  • Sectarian incidents ‘at highest level since 2016'

"Officers on each side of Broadway roundabout engaged for a number of hours with young people before they later dispersed."

PSNI Inspector Róisín Brown said: “I am, again, asking young people to stay away from the area as this week begins and think about the potential consequences of their actions.

"It is not harmless behaviour, and I am worried that someone will get seriously hurt.

"No one wants that.

"I am reiterating that members of the public report anything of concern to us so that we can intervene early and prevent escalation.

"We want to reassure the public that police will be in the area and will be working with our community partners throughout the rest of this week and going forward to manage this.

"We appreciate the support of local people to help us maintain peace in the area."

Sinn Féin’s west Belfast MP Paul Maskey had appealed to young people not to get caught up in anti-social behaviour following the disturbance on Saturday.

“Those responsible have nothing to offer local people apart from disruption and inconvenience and I would call on them to cease," he said.