Craigavon community '˜intimidated' after fire crews come under attack

A top PSNI officer described the incident as ‘foolhardy’ and accused the youths involved of putting their own community at risk.

The stark warnings from police came after disorder and anti-social behaviour led to fire crews being attack in the Drumellan area.

A fire had been started on the main road in Drumellan Court at 11pm on Thursday, 4 February.

It was reported that a number of youths were in the area with unlit petrol bombs.

NI Fire and Rescue Service attended and missiles were thrown at the fire appliance.

Further reports were received by police of youths being rowdy, causing annoyance and the theft of a wheelie bin which was subsequently set alight.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Officers attended and monitored the situation before two males, aged 17 and 18 years old, were arrested for disorderly behaviour and later charged.”

Inspector Duncan McBain said: “An incident like this causes misery for everyone.

“The local community is disrupted and intimidated and put in danger, emergency services are using resources that could be put to better use and the young people involved are jeopardising their futures,” said Inspector McBain.

“Setting a fire in the middle of a housing area is foolhardy at best and life threatening at worst.

“The young people involved are putting themselves and their own community at risk.

“They appear to have no understanding of the consequences of their actions,” said the Inspector.

“Not only could someone have been seriously harmed but they are oblivious to the repercussions that a criminal conviction can have on their own lives.

“We know that the vast majority of the community in Brownlow simply want to go about their business in a safe environment and we want to devote our resources to achieving this,” said Inspector McBain.

“I would ask anyone with information about these incidents to contact us on 101, quoting ref: 1255 040216.”