Newcastle attack sparks concern

Newcastle attack sparks concern

30 October 2013

AN arson attack on a pensioner’s car in Newcastle is part of an “orgy of wanton vandalism and violence” that could spiral out of control.

Councillor William Clarke’s comments follow a second week of trouble in the Burrendale Park Road area of the town.

The car, which was set on fire on Thursday evening, belonged to a couple who were baby-sitting their grandchildren in the estate. Alerted by the sound of a windscreen being broken, the couple were able to extinguish the fire before emergency services attended the scene.

In the early hours of last Monday morning a fight broke out in the estate and windows were smashed at a block of flats and two cars damaged, one of which was set alight.

Councillor Clarke described the pensioners as “innocent bystanders” in what is understood to be a feud related to anti-social activity.

Four men were arrested following last week’s trouble, but no-one has yet been charged.

Councillor Clarke said he was worried somebody could be seriously injured or killed if the violence continued.

“Over the last week the Burrendale residents were subjected to an orgy of wanton vandalism and violence, which resulted in the arson of a second vehicle,” he said. “It is disgraceful that law abiding residents from the area have to witness such scenes.

“The second arson attack on a pensioner’s car caused enormous trauma to the owners who were looking after their grandchildren... I visited the victims shortly after the arson attack and saw firsthand the devastation they had to face.”

Councillor Clarke said that over the past few weeks there had been an increase in anti-social activity in a number of estates in Newcastle, including Burren Meadow, which needed “nipped in the bud” before major trouble broke out in the area.

“I have been discussing the incidents with the PSNI District Commander for the area Deirdre Bones and was assured that resources would be directed to this issue,” he said. “I will also be meeting the new PSNI Newcastle Inspector Mark Peters this week to discuss what progress has been made on these arson attacks and associated criminal damage.

“This is not just a policing issue,all statutory bodies need to work collectively to deal with these very worrying developments. I will be convening a meeting with senior PSNI, Down Council, Housing Executive, APEX Housing and community representatives, to discuss the recent incidents. There can be no equivocation in our condemnation of them and no ambiguity in our support for the wider community.

“I believe that this type of activity should be described as exactly what it is — anti-community activity.”