Gangs of youths are terrifying residents

Gangs of youths are terrifying residents

28 October 2015

TEENAGERS are running wild and out of control in Downpatrick’s largest house estates amid warnings that ongoing anti social behaviour is becoming “very dangerous.”

After weeks of ongoing weekend trouble in the Flying Horse and Model Farm estates, last weekend saw the worst trouble to date with fireworks being fired at houses, stones being pelted at police and passing motorists and burning furniture and rubbish bins used to partially block a road.

While community workers, politicians and police have appealed for an end to the violence and appealed for parents to take action to stop their children getting involved, local residents have contacted the Recorder to voice their concerns.

So concerned are the residents at being targeted by the gangs of youths they would only speak on 

condition of anonymity.

One woman described the situation as a “terrifying hell” which has left residents of all ages dreading the weekends, especially as the nights get longer.

“This is an awful situation and I feel so sorry for pensioners and people with young children who become prisoners in their own homes when this trouble starts,” she said.

“It’s been going on for weeks and no-one seems able to control these young thugs. The police seem reluctant to do anything more than drive around in their patrol cars and I’m not aware of anyone having been detained or arrested, even after the trouble has calmed down.

“I know of pensioners who switch off their lights and sit scared in their homes as this trouble goes on at night, too scared to even risk looking out of the window. Other residents who are out shopping or away for the day, rush home to be indoors in case they get caught up in the trouble.

“What way is that to live,” she added.

A pensioner from the area spoke of dreading the weekends and said the homes of the elderly have been targeted by the young teenagers. 

“Windows have been broken, things are stuck through letter boxes and one man even had his pet dog stabbed,” he said.

“We just have to sit here and take it and now we’re getting close to Halloween and already the fireworks are going off. We’re all worried in case a firework is put through our letter boxes.”

Eamonn MacConMidhe, chairman of the Flying Horse Ward Community Forum, said the community was at “its wits end” over the ongoing trouble.

He said people from outside the two local estates were responsible for most of the recent  antisocial behaviour with some local teenagers, a minority of whom he said were “shielded” by their parents.

He called on the police to take firmer action with those caught causing havoc and said informal warnings were not working.

“Some of these young fellas are doing this for a chase from the police and when they are caught they are not being dealt with properly so they think it is great fun,” he said.

“Some have been asked to sign voluntary contracts promising to stay in their houses after a particular time but that is not working. We do not want to see anybody arrested or put in a home but when they are showing no care for life of limb then that is the only way left.

“While most parents have been working with the forum to ensure their children are not involved, there is a minority of parents who refuse to accept their children are in the wrong and that means the problem continues.”

SDLP councillor Gareth Sharvin has urged those responsible for the trouble to stop.

“You are not funny, you are creating major disturbance to people you might know, creating major safety issues by throwing stones at moving cars,” he said.

“I would ask parents who think that their child might be involved in this behaviour, to ask them where they are and what they are doing.

“I want anyone with information around those causing pain for local residents to get in touch with me or the PSNI to help tackle this behaviour. This behaviour is not acceptable and no person should have to live in their home and watch youths running riot.”

PSNI Chief Inspector Gillian West said it was clear that young teenagers were responsible for the trouble. She said police patrols would be increased while a “zero tolerance” policy would be adopted for antisocial behaviour and warned parents to talk to their children about the consequences of being involved in such behaviour.

“A criminal conviction can have lasting consequences on your education, travel and career opportunities,” she said.

“No one in the community wants this type of activity which can appear intimidating, particularly to more vulnerable people.

“Everyone wants to be able to go about their business and live in their own community safely. We are asking community representatives, political representatives and all of those with influence to work with us to ensure that the antisocial behaviour stops here.”