Residents are terrified by teens

Residents are terrified by teens

5 April 2017

YOUNG people engaging in anti-social behaviour at the St Patrick’s Drive area in Downpatrick are “terrorising” residents in nearby homes, a local politician has claimed.

Councillor John Trainor said those involved in trouble at this part of the town are fuelled by alcohol, with joy riders also descending on the area.

The Downpatrick councillor said while recent emphasis on trouble in Downpatrick focused on the Killough Road area, this has “overshadowed” events at St Patrick’s Drive.

“Residents are being terrorised by underage drinkers and joy riders and this behaviour at an area at the rear of a major retail store must stop,” he declared Councillor Trainor.

“I have no doubt problems at the Killough Road, where fires have been lit and missiles thrown at PSNI and Fire and Rescue vehicles, has overshadowed events at St Patrick’s Drive.”

Councillor Trainor said concerned residents who live at this part of the town have raised the anti-social behaviour issue with him and are angry at what is happening close to their homes.

“Some people are afraid to use the area around their back gardens for fear of walking on broken glass as a result of the underage drinking. There are many elderly residents and young families in St Patrick’s Drive and there are fears the young people driving dangerously in this area could cause an accident,” he declared.

The Downpatrick councillor confirmed he has raised residents’ concerns with the PSNI and has asked officers to closely monitor this part of Downpatrick, asking that those responsible for causing trouble are “dealt with accordingly.”

Councillor Trainor is also seeking a meeting with the owners of the retail store which backs on to St Patrick’s Drive to explore ways of deterring the anti-social activity which is a major cause for concern for local residents.

He added: “This behaviour needs to stop. Residents should not be living in fear in their homes and I would appeal to the young people who are causing to trouble to stop.”