HOUSING authorities and police have been accused of allowing an "acceptable of antisocial behaviour" which has culminated in a violent fight in a children's play park.
Five men were arrested after what police described as "an altercation" close to the play park on Burrendale Park Road in Newcastle at around 11.40pm on Monday night.
It is understood around six people were involved in the fight which ended up in nearby flats and saw several windows broken.
Three people were treated in hospital for injuries following the attack.
However, while the arrests were welcomed by neighbours on the estate, there has been criticism of long-standing anti-social behaviour problems.
Sinn Féin councillor Willie Clarke said people living in houses nearby are "sick and tired of anti-social behaviour in the flats".
"They feel its allowed to happen to a certain level, it is tolerated. Meanwhile, their rights are being violated. They have a right to sleep in their own homes.
"People are saying they want the support of elected representatives and we have been pushing the Housing Executive. They need to keep a close eye on the flats.
"There needs to be some sort of mechanism to deal with this," he said.
"There is an `acceptable' level of trouble allowed to go on."
Police have appealed for information.
