Five people have been arrested and alcohol seized after street disturbances in the Holyland area of south Belfast on Monday night.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said this was in addition to a large amount of alcohol that police recovered and disposed of the night before.
The police are to deploy additional resources to the area, which is popular with students and which has a long-standing problem with anti-social behaviour.
Chief Insp Gavin Kirkpatrick said it was “disappointing” that “officers again had to contend with large numbers of mainly young people gathering . . . in this residential area”.
He said five arrests were made for offences including disorderly behaviour and burglary. Police also issued 10 community resolution notices, a penalty notice for disorderly behaviour and reported three people to the Public Prosecution Service.
‘Take responsibility’
He said it was “apparent that young people are travelling to the area from other parts of the city and beyond”. And he called on anyone who has moved to this part of the city to take responsibility for their actions.
“Residents are fed up and police will robustly address any criminal activity,” he said. The officer added that “where appropriate, we will also liaise with the universities and colleges who will consider their own sanctions against any students involved”.
Chief Insp Kirkpatrick appealed to parents and guardians to speak to their children. He said he very much doubted that some of those gathering in the area would behave the same way outside their parents’ or grandparents’ homes.
“Parents and guardians who allow young people to visit friends or attend parties in this residential area should consider how they would feel if they had hundreds of young people outside their home, keeping them and their families awake to all hours,” he said.
