Northern Ireland

Residents in north Belfast being 'tortured' by anti-social behaviour

The PSNI had to deal with scenes of anti-social behaviour in the Bell Steel Road area of west Belfast on Saturday night. Picture by Police West Belfast Facebook page
The PSNI had to deal with scenes of anti-social behaviour in the Bell Steel Road area of west Belfast on Saturday night. Picture by Police West Belfast Facebook page The PSNI had to deal with scenes of anti-social behaviour in the Bell Steel Road area of west Belfast on Saturday night. Picture by Police West Belfast Facebook page

THERE were calls last night for a "multi-agency solution" in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour in north and west Belfast.

Police were called to the Bell Steel Road area where groups of youths had lit fires, were drinking and running out in traffic.

SDLP councillor Brian Heading said the Covid-19 pandemic was making anti-social behaviour "even worse" as young people have been "impacted significantly".

"Residents in Poleglass endured another night of anti-social behaviour and are very distressed," he said.

"Anti-social behaviour existed long before Covid-19, but the pandemic has made it even more worse as young people gathering potentially spreads the virus further in the community.

"While we are clearly all frustrated after almost a year of lockdown, which has impacted significantly on young people, this is not the way to deal with it."

Mr Heading urged the PSNI, youth services and other agencies "to work for a multi agency solution".

Police said those involved in the anti-social behaviour were "too young to be out at this sort of carry on".

"Another plea to the parents. Call your kids and see what they're at.

"You really don't want us knocking your door if they wind up in an accident. We are speaking with community representatives in the area to deal with this."

Meanwhile, SDLP assembly member Nichola Mallon has called for action following further scenes of anti-social behaviour in north Belfast.

A large crowd of youths had to be dispersed by police from the Waterworks while young people in Woodvale Park attacked the PSNI.

Ms Mallon described the scenes as "totally unacceptable".

"Residents in north Belfast are being tortured by anti-social behaviour," she said.

"It has to stop and before some young person gets seriously hurt.

"The SDLP is calling for an urgent localised North Belfast plan to tackle this issue, with youth providers on the ground playing a key role in shaping this."