Opinion

Anti-social behaviour a serious problem

ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour is a term which is often associated with actions ranging upwards from mildly annoying. It would appear however that residents of an area of north Belfast are having to put up with something more serious.

At the weekend there were reports of gangs of young people, ranging in age from 13 up to about 19 years of age, jumping up and down on cars as well banging house front doors in the Oldpark Road area.

So serious was this particular form of 'anti-social behaviour' deemed that the police had to attend to disperse the young people. One resident was so upset after a youth reportedly entered her home that police recommended that she contact social services with a view to possibly moving from the area.

A police spokesman said that appeals have been made to parents and guardians to make sure they know where their children are and that they are not behaving in this way.

A local councillor thanked local people for helping to 'de-escale' tensions but he reiterated the message that these occurrences are deeply disturbing to residents, many of whom he said were 'at the end of their tether.

He called on the young people involved in this weekend activity to consider the consequences of their actions and to stop.

It is important to note that of the many young people who congregate and socialise in the area, police say that a minority cause these problems.

It is to be hoped that the calls from the police and local political representatives will be heeded and the people of this area will be able to live in peace at weekends in the future.

If however such behaviour continues it is inevitable that the authorities will have to consider their reaction to further call-outs in the future.

It is always sad when a young person faces legal action. The police appeal to parents and guardians is therefore of particular importance.

The way to keep young people out of trouble in this instance is for whoever is legally responsible for them to make it their business to find out if their child is taking part in this behaviour.

They should then of course do their best to make sure that the young person does not cause future disturbances.

It is much better for the child if the parent or guardian takes the lead role in prevention rather than the police and perhaps later, the courts.