Appeal Over 'Shocking' Arson Attacks In Belfast

An SDLP MLA has told of her shock following a spate of arson attacks in the Holylands area of south Belfast.

A total of five vehicles were damaged during the crime spree in the early hours of Wednesday morning, 23 October.

Police have launched an investigation following the two separate incidents.

In the first, the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service were called to a blaze in Jerusalem Street at around 1.45am. A Mini was completely destroyed while a Ford Fiesta, Renault Megane and Volkswagen Golf which had all been parked on Collingwood Avenue were extensively damaged.

Later that morning at around 5.30am, police received another report of a vehicle on fire in nearby Damascus Street. In this incident, a Volkswagen Polo was slightly damaged.

A potential link to two other incidents on Monday 07 October this year is being investigated after a Renault Clio and Audi which had been parked on Collingwood Avenue and a Volkswagen Sharan parked on Damascus Street.

SDLP South Belfast MLA Claire Hanna and Botanic Councillor Gary McKeown have condemned the burning of five cars.

Ms Hanna said: "This is a shocking spate of arson attacks to happen in one night and will cause extreme distress for people living in the area. Ongoing vandalism and antisocial behaviour plague the community here, and these incidents will heighten concern."

Cllr McKeown added: "We need a multi-agency, targeted programme of intervention in the area to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, and I am working with other councillors and officials to prioritise this. The community in the Holyland have been living under terrible stress for too long, and it has to stop."

Chief Inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick said the consequences of the arson have been catastrophic.

"This is absolutely wanton destruction of people's hard earned property. It is also incredibly dangerous as each of these cars were parked in a heavily populated area.

"We are treating these incidents as arson and are following a number of lines of enquiry."

Local Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw issued a call for an increased police presence in the area. Referencing the incidents, Ms Bradshaw said patrols must be increased permanently in the Holylands, an area largely populated by students, rather than during the return to term each September.

She commented: "The level of anti-social behaviour has far exceeded young people having a bit of fun and is now firmly in the realms of criminality. It is the PSNI which has primary responsibility for dealing with this and I have written to the local area commander, asking for an increased police presence."



(JG/CM)