Plan drafted to stem trouble at housing estates

Plan drafted to stem trouble at housing estates

21 October 2015

AN action plan is being drawn up to help address anti-social behaviour issues at two of Downpatrick’s biggest housing estates.

Trouble has been reported at the Model Farm and Flying Horse estates over recent weeks with community officials claiming the trouble is largely being caused by people from outside the area.

Members of the Flying Horse Ward Community Forum say youths from Annacloy, Killyleagh and Ardglass are responsible for recent incidents when fireworks were thrown at vehicles and pensioners’ homes.

There have been a number of incidents over recent months with community officials appealing to all those involved to stop their unruly behaviour.

This week, it emerged members of the Newry, Mourne and Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership met recently to discuss the recent trouble and agree a way forward to address the anti-social behaviour issue. The Partnership, whose membership includes local youth service providers, the PSNI and Housing Executive, is keen to help in whatever way it can.

It was agreed at the recent meeting, described as “productive,” that the various agencies would work together to devise what has been described as a co-ordinated approach to complement work already being undertaken to provide a long-term strategy for the Ballymote area. 

Partnership chairman, councillor Mickey Larkin, said there already is excellent youth provision available at the Ballymote Centre with programmes running every evening from Monday through to Saturday.

“These programmes will continue to run during the Halloween break,” he continued. “Representatives from the agencies which make up the Partnership were delighted that a film produced in association with the local youth service and young men from the Ballymote area had been premiered in the Eclipse Cinema in Downpatrick.”  

Councillor Larkin said in order to help deal with those involved in the anti-social behaviour at the Downpatrick estates, the PSNI has requested assistance from the public and is asking people to report incidents detailing date, time and names if possible, using their 101 response telephone line. 

He added: “Police have ensured complete discretion and confidentiality to anyone providing such information and all the Partnership agencies are also keen to hear from the community. The Partnership will continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that a sustained and comprehensive response is made.” 

The contact number for the Housing Executive is 0344 892 0900, while the Partnership’s number is  0300 013 2233. The numbers of the Patrician Youth Centre and Ballymote Youth Service are (028) 4461 5488 and (028) 4461 6377 respectively.