Appeal after latest spate of trouble

Appeal after latest spate of trouble

22 March 2017

A DOWNPATRICK community worker has appealed to parents to keep an eye on their children following another weekend spate of anti-social behaviour.

Jenny Laverty said people were “living in fear” as youths continued to cause trouble in the Flying Horse and Model Farm estates.

Urging parents to check the whereabouts of their children, she said teenagers as young as 13 and 14 were “running around drunk” over the weekend.

She said parents had ped off young teenagers to the area and insisted they should be “taking a firmer hand” with their children to ensure the area is trouble-free.

Police have confirmed they dispersed a large crowd of youths over the St Patrick’s weekend following several reports of public order offences including stone and bottle throwing at passing vehicles at Brannish Road, Ballymote Park and Killough Road.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service also attended several fires in the area.

PSNI Chief Inspector Gillian West said investigations were ongoing but confirmed that one 20 year-old man will appear at Downpatrick Court later this month after being arrested on suspicion of anti-social behaviour, while several youths were cautioned for public order offences.

She said bottles had also been thrown at two female police officers and complaints had been received about loud music being played in residential areas.

Ms Laverty said she believed parents were not taking proper responsibility for their children and also urged other people from the area to join the Flying Horse Community Forum as it struggles to tackle anti-social behaviour.

“We are very concerned about under-age drinking and realise there is peer pressure which makes some younger ones think it is ok,” she said.

“Pensioners and residents are living in fear when these youths gather outside their houses.

“Agencies are working together to try to tackle this, but parents must also take more responsibility.

“We can provide youth diversionary services but we are discovering that these young people do not want to come to events that are supervised by adults.

“What we really need are parents keeping a close eye on where their children are. That will be the best way to tackle these issues.”

Describing the weekend behaviour as “unacceptable”, SDLP Assemblyman Colin McGrath said local residents should no longer be forced to tolerate such antisocial incidents.

“This behaviour has gone on for far too long and I will be meeting PSNI officers and asking for a report on what they plan to do to quell this behaviour once and for all,” he said.

“For too long the silent majority of the good and honourable residents have been tested by gangs of youths - many not from the area. It is time for the balance to return in the favour of peaceful residents.

“I hope the PSNI can carry out their work swiftly, recommend evictions to those who use their homes to promote such behaviour and for good order to be returned to this area.”