'Marshalling' Worry Over Street Trouble

Anti-social behaviour is again on the agenda in Co Antrim as troublemakers in Glengormley gain a new level of organisation.

DUP Alderman Nigel Hamilton (pictured) has criticised the behaviour of youths who are turning parts of the town's residential areas into nightmare zones.

The area around the local Tesco on the Carnmoney Road is a meeting ground for the young people who have been carrying out acts of random vandalism as well as intimidating residents in nearby streets.

A daylight break-in on May Day has also caused damage with a fire exit being forced open.

Increased emphasis on the Glebecoole area by police - on foot of continued residents' complaints there - has seen a shift into the area behind Tesco as groups of young people are displaced.

Alderman Hamilton said: "Cleary there is an anxiety and a high level of concern that as PSNI move the troublemakers from one area they form up in another.

"Sadly for residents, the PSNI response to resident's problems on the other side of the Carnmoney Road has led to increased activity in the Hillview Park area.

"It is now drawing what appears to be a highly organised groups of young people who gather to then battle their opposite numbers coming across from Elmfield and beyond.

"It appears from the information I am receiving they are young men with their faces covered, armed with mobile phones for the marshalling activities.

"They employ scouts to give an early warning of the PSNI, such is the level of organisation," he continued.

"What seems even more sinister is the apparent lack of alcohol, they are not here to drink illicit booze, or even just carry out petty vandalism with nothing else to do.

"These gangs give residents the impression that they are part of co-ordinated activity to face their aggressors in an organised and well planned fashion.

"This is not a battleground, it is, so far, a quiet residential street and I urge the PSNI at a senior command level to put this intelligence before the DPP/PSNI to maximum effect," the former District Policing Partnership (DPP) Chairman concluded.

(BMcC/GK)