A campaign to prevent "recreational" rioting by rival factions of children in north Belfast during the summer is beginning next week.
Senior politicians from the area will join church and community leaders to launch a major awareness campaign designed to highlight the consequences of interface violence.
Pioneered by the North Belfast Interface Monitoring Group, the initiative will distribute 20,000 leaflets and posters across schools, youth clubs and local communities to highlight the dangers and risks, particularly among young people, associated with summer rioting at sectarian flashpoints.
The organisers are calling on all with influence with the young to exercise positive leadership as the long summer holidays approach.
They wasrned that some youths may view rioting as as recreational but msut should be aware that it can lead to serious injury, disfigurement, families fleeing their homes or even death.
Project promoter Rab McCallum said: "It is of concern that 11- and 12-year- olds are now routinely engaged in interface conflict within and between communities.
"People living on interfaces live in constant stress over the summer months. Many living at interfaces are prisoners in their own home.
The monitoring group said the campaign would also aim to generate dialogue among communities about the role and responsibility of children, parents, church leaders, politicians and teachers to ensure the summer passes off peacefully.
Michael Acheson of the monitoring group added: "The consequences of interface violence are seldom understood by young people who see this pursuit as fun.
"The poster initiative will raise awareness among young people that rioting at interfaces could damage their future prospects of employment and travel - while also rewarding them with a criminal record or custodial sentence."
PA