Police are appealing for information after reports that a number of youths had gathered at the area of the Broadway roundabout at the interface of South and West Belfast on Sunday.
South Belfast Neighbourhood Inspector Róisín Brown said following reports of two large gatherings of young people shortly after 8:25pm last night, police attended and the youths dispersed upon our arrival. The PSNI says it is also aware of video footage circulating online.
“We are also aware of a video circulating online involving an individual on a bike, who is believed to have been struck by a vehicle whilst cycling in the Broadway area last night,” Inspector Brown added.
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“Enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding this incident and I ask anyone who has any information about this, or who may have dashcam footage available, to contact us via 101. We understand the concerns of local residents and the wider public regarding ongoing anti-social behaviour in the Broadway area. Our officers are committed to working alongside partner agencies, local representatives and the community to address the problem.
“However, I also urge parents and guardians to speak with their children about their behaviour. Some young people are behaving recklessly, dangerously and in some instances criminally around Broadway roundabout with little regard for other members of the public and local residents. I am concerned that someone is going to get seriously hurt.
“We all have a responsibility to help make where we live safer for everyone. Reporting crimes or incidents that impact on your quality of life helps focus our patrols where they are needed and take positive action. Ring us on 101, or 999 in an emergency, report online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or speak directly to your Neighbourhood Team.”
A spokesperson for Beechmount Residents Collective said: “Over the past year we have been on the ground talking and engaging with concerned residents and other community workers also highlighting this issue in the local news papers about crowds of youth gathering at Broadway/Balls of the Falls from both sides.
“The past year we have highlighted and called on all to come together we need real leadership on the ground to stop this madness before someone is killed. We call on all parents to please don’t let your children get sucked into this situation and check to see where they are and encourage them to stay away. This is not a joke or even fun. Someone could lose their life or be seriously hurt.
“This situation is out of hand and can’t be ignored. We will be monitoring and engaging with some locals, youth and our youth workers and we will be in direct contact with community workers on both sides to try to come up with some sort of plan to defuse tensions No one wants these types of actions nor do we as a community need this at our door steps we will be working on a community meeting on this issue also to bring everyone together.”
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan said: “Last night young people gathered at Broadway intent on causing trouble and disruption to local residents, this is disgraceful and must stop.
“I want to express my thoughts with the young person injured, I hope they make a full and speedy recovery. Sinn Féin has been working with community representatives and residents on the ground since the summer in an effort to ensure this area remains calm and peaceful.
“Local residents have now had enough, the young people gathering to cause chaos in this area must desist, and parents should also know where their children are. I would also again call on the PSNI to put in place additional resources to address ongoing issues in this area.”
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