Number Of Incidents Reported At East Belfast Interface Areas

A number of incidents at the interface areas in east Belfast have been reported to the police over the last few nights.

DUP East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson is calling for "cool heads on all sides" so that problems at the interface between the Short Strand and Newtownards Road do not escalate.

Robin Newton MLA added: "There can be no excuse for any act of violence and it is vital that does not continue. Those who suffer the most as a result of any violence are the residents, on both sides of the interface, who bear the brunt of attacks from either side."

Local policing Chief Inspector for East Belfast David Moore explained: "Over the past few evenings my officers have responded to young people congregating at interface areas of East Belfast. We have been engaging with the youths and encouraging them to move away from the interface areas where incidents very often escalate. I have concerns social media, either purposely or not, bring young people to the interface areas. Some of those involved are not local and indeed a significant number are teenage girls. They must appreciate that people live in interface areas and gathering there for no good reason simply disrupts and affects those who do. It is very obvious that many of these young people know one another with whom they take issue with. On Sunday night there were two paint bombs thrown at police vehicles in the area. Over the period of last week we arrested a 16 year old female for assault and a 15 year old male was detained for possession of an offensive weapon. As part of the ongoing policing operation we have taken details of the young people and we will be speaking with their parents in the coming days.

"We will continue to monitor reports of antisocial behaviour and respond appropriately, including focusing patrols in certain areas over particular times.

"I would urge parents to make sure they know where their children are and what they are doing and to talk to them about the danger of getting caught up in the moment and the possible outcomes they could face if they are found committing any offence."

(CD/JP)