Extra police drafted in to deal with youth gangs amid claims vigilantes preparing to deal with anti-social behaviour

In recent weeks there has been a surge in anti-social behaviour across Portadown, Craigavon and Lurgan with some residents claiming to be ‘at their wits end’.

Youths roaming in gangs sometimes 50 strong have become more commonplace with some involved in criminal behaviour such as underage drinking, drug taking and criminal damage.

Residents have reported youths pelting turnips, fireworks, and other missiles at vehicles and passersby as well as other young people.

There have been reports of constant attacks on property, often that of the elderly.

This week a number of people voiced concerns that the situation is out of control.

One man said: “It’s about time the community stood up and grew a backbone and deal with the youths themselves.”

He suggested ‘sorting them out’ instead of running to the police every five minutes.

Another suggested setting up vigilante groups to patrol areas affected and bring the children home to their parents.

However, local politicians as well as the PSNI said vigilante groups are not the answer.

Local police chief Inspector McBain said the PSNI is responsible for law enforcement in NI. “We do not tolerate any type of vigilante activity and I would caution any individual or group against taking the law into their own hands. We are here to protect local people and we are proud to serve them,” he said, adding that police take anti-social behaviour ‘very seriously’.

Chief Inspector Barney O’Connor said 53 extra officers have been drafted to target anti-social behaviour hotspots across Craigavon, Armagh and Banbridge.

Sinn Fein Cllr Paul Duffy agreed that the anti-social behaviour problem was getting worse but warned against vigilante groups.

He said there are gangs of up to 50 young people running about causing trouble and no social distancing.

He said some are firing turnips and pumpkins at cars in the Garvaghy Road area.

“There is no social distancing, no consideration for other people, they just don’t care,” said Cllr Duffy adding that the youths are playing a ‘cat and mouse game’ with police.

“Parents should know where their children are, especially during a pandemic. It is the vulnerable I worry about. A lot of these children could be bringing the virus home to people in their families.”

He called on more to be done by outreach youth workers.

DUP Cllr Lavelle McIlrath said parents must take more responsibility.

He said vigilante groups are not the answer. “There has always been a problem with anti-social behaviour at Halloween but Portadown appears to have kicked off quite badly this year.”

He said he had been trying to get neighbourhood police and all the key parties to see what can be done. He added that an extra problem had been the lack of youth activities due to the pandemic.

Chief Inspector O’Connor said they discovered many youths at these hotspots were dropped off by their parents from a different part of the district.

He said numerous young people have had youth cautions and there have been a number of prosecutions.

The police chief admitted the added challenge of COVID-19 had left some officers out isolating.

He gave an example of two officers in the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) who had been dealing with a man who claimed he had COVID-19. “These officers must quarantine for 14 days until we await a result on the tests,” said Chief Inspector O’Connor. He said there would be 19 extra constables and three sergeants seconded to Portadown this weekend to focus on anti-social behaviour hotspots.

He praised the work of the YMCA the PCSP and the EA but added they too had been hit by COVID-19 restrictions.

He added that good community representatives are happy to join the PSNI and talk to the youth with the police.

Inspector McBain said: “In relation to anti-social behaviour across the District, we have increased our visibility in areas prevalent to this type of activity. Halloween tends to bring an increase in anti-social behaviour with an increase of access to fireworks and other items which can impact on more vulnerable people in our community. We work with various partner agencies to educate the community around the dangers of fireworks and involvement in anti-social behaviour, which can have an impact on their future. Our Education Authority colleagues provide extensive outreach and detached youth provision across the Craigavon area and with our Neighbourhood Officers increasing their visibility in hot spot areas; this collaborative approach may prevent young people coming to harm and engaging in anti-social behaviour. We have asked parents and guardians to speak to their young people about where they are and who they are with and also to warn them of the dangers of getting involved in behaviour which could result in them injuring themselves, others, or ultimately, with a criminal record which could have an impact on their future employment and even travel.

“It is the role of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to deal with those allegedly involved in crime, not others. We are the professionals with the expert knowledge and experience to carry out rigorous investigations to the required evidential standard. We are the legitimate police service and we are accountable. These groups are not. They do not have the transparency or the structures which underpin the police service and could potentially undermine ongoing police investigations.

“Those involved in this type of vigilante behaviour aren’t in a position to ensure safeguarding issues are addressed and their actions could have a detrimental impact on the criminal justice process. We welcome the opportunity to speak with all partner agencies, local elected representatives and community representatives to discuss their concerns.

“If these groups are motivated to help safeguard the community, they need to bring the information they have to police as soon as they have it and we will take all the necessary steps required to ensure a thorough investigation is carried out including appropriate evidence gathering. We will also ensure safeguarding issues are addressed and appropriate risk assessments are carried out.

“I would ask anyone with information on any criminality to contact the non-emergency number 101 to speak to police. Dedicated Neighbourhood officers across the district can be contacted directly, with their details available at both https://www.psni.police.uk/my-area/all-districts/armagh-city-banbridge-and-craigavon/lurgan/lurgan-neighbourhood-policing-team2/ . If you would like to pass information without giving your details, please contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”

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Gangs of youths blast music with swear words and sexual references at children in play park. Read story here-

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