Glengormley Trouble Slammed

Councillors in a suburban area of Co Antrim have joined forces to call for an end to sectarian incidents.

Five cars were daubed with paint in Glebe Road, off Carnmoney Road last Friday, and this week, Newtownabbey DUP Alderman Nigel Hamilton (pictured) and SDLP Councillor Noreen McClelland have both called for the ongoing anti-social and criminal behaviour to stop.

Police said it happened around 4.40am on Friday morning and also led to the road and walls being damaged with sectarian graffiti.

Pro-IRA slogans were painted on the vehicles, a number of walls and the road itself.

"Residents are understandably frustrated that the 'recreational rioting' and sectarian coat-trailing that has been going on in this area for months hasn't been dealt with," Mr Hamilton told this week's Newtownabbey Times.

"The patience of residents is being stretched to the limit and they are fearful that this latest example of hooliganism will lead to reprisals by others.

"I believe it is now time to take this to higher authority and as a member of the District Policing Partnership I will be urging the DPP to take residents' concerns about adequate police protection to the Policing Board," he added.

SDLP Councillor McClelland condemned Friday's graffiti attack and called on parents to do their bit to help put a stop to trouble in the area.

"Local residents are fed up with these destructive kind of incidents and the ongoing anti-social behaviour.

"I feel for those who yet again have been the victims of hooligans who seem to have no respect for people or their property," she commented.

DPP Vice-Chairman Michael McBrien added: "This latest episode must tear the heart out of the local people who simply want to live in peace and quiet. I would once again ask for parents to help by making sure their kids are not involved."

The PSNI are active however. In a separate incident on Monday evening two youths were arrested by police after being caught painting sectarian graffiti on property at O'Neill Road.

The boys, aged 15 and 17, were later released pending reports to the Youth Diversion Officer.

Glebe Road is not the only part of the residential area to be hit.

People living in the vicinity of the Beverley shops have complained to police and politicians about the behaviour of some of the youths and the noise they are causing, often into the early hours of the morning.

The PSNI confirmed that they have received a number of complaints regarding ongoing problems in the area.

Indeed, they revealed that during one incident on August 17, police officers arrested a female for disorderly behaviour and aggravated assault.

See: Other NI News In Brief (Glengormley Cars Attacked)

(GK/BMcC)