Police to increase patrols following anti-social behaviour at flats

Police are to increase patrols following large numbers of young people engaging in anti-social behaviour at flats in west Belfast.

They received reports at about 21:00 BST on Tuesday of the youths in the Stewartstown Road area, throwing bottles and stones at nearby flats.

​Local assembly member (MLA) Danny Baker said there were "over 100 young people" targeting the flats and also "cars and buses".

Footage on social media has been shared over the last week of people fighting at the flats, which are maintained by Choice Housing.

A spokesperson for Choice Housing said they "prioritises tenant safety and wellbeing", and that they are "aware of reports of incidents in recent days in the area".

In a series of social media posts over the past few days Baker said: "There have been ongoing issues with the flats for some time.

"Finding solutions to what is going on in Stewartstown Road is very complex," adding that many people in the flats have "serious addictions".

On Tuesday night he said: "I really need parents to touch base with their kids; some are as young as nine or 10.

"I know this is a result of what has been going on in recent days and videos and posts being shared online.

"Kids have gravitated to this spot and are looking for a reaction.

"There is no excuse for this behaviour."

Local gym owner Sean Hitchin told BBC News NI that anti-social behaviour "always seems to be when the weather's good".

He added that ones throwing objects are "aggravating" those in the flats.

"But they also do not help themselves. They're shouting back."

He added that his business is not being impacted at the moment "because with a lot of people from the area, they sort of half understand", however, he added that if it continues "it would really, really put you off even joining".

"The majority of the time, there's an incident happen at least once a week in those flats and it just runs the area down.

"I think this wee area is class."

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said that on Tuesday night "officers attended and one youth was removed from the area and returned home due to his behaviour".

Ch Insp Gibson added that they want to "reassure the local community" that the PSNI take "all reports of disruptive and anti-social behaviour seriously and that we recognise the wider impact it can have".

Gibson said police have been "working closely" with partner agencies, local representatives and the community "to try to address this problem and I want to reassure the community that we take these types of reports very seriously".

"People have a right to live in peace and to feel safe in their communities and people who choose to engage in anti-social behaviour must understand it is unacceptable and must stop."

Gibson added parents and guardians have been asked to speak to their children about where they are and who they are with.

Choice Housing said that they "recognise that these issues extend beyond our immediate properties and involve young people from the wider community".

"Whilst we cannot comment on individual cases due to tenant confidentiality, Choice takes all reports seriously and will continue to work closely with tenants, the PSNI, elected representatives and statutory agencies to resolve these matters together.

"The safety and wellbeing of our residents remain our priority. To help safeguard residents and protect property, a static security presence remains in place at the scheme."