Police responding to disorder in Newtownabbey

Disturbances have broken out in the Cloughfern area of Newtownabbey this evening.
Cars burning at the Doagh Road roundabout of Newtownabbey in Co Antrim. 

Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.Cars burning at the Doagh Road roundabout of Newtownabbey in Co Antrim. 

Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.
Cars burning at the Doagh Road roundabout of Newtownabbey in Co Antrim. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Footage on social media shows vehicles being hijacked and burned out and it has also been reported that petrol bombs have been thrown.

Police are responding to the disorder at the Cloughfern roundabout area and have appealed for calm.

A spokesperson said; “We would ask anyone who has any influence in communities please, use that influence to ensure young people do not get caught up in criminality and that they are kept safe and away from harm tonight.”

Disorder in the Cloughfern area of Newtownabbey. 

Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.Disorder in the Cloughfern area of Newtownabbey. 

Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.
Disorder in the Cloughfern area of Newtownabbey. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

South Antrim Alliance MLA John Blair commented: “This is to be utterly condemned and has happened at this location, for different reasons, previously.

“A need for calm and for parents to check where their children are.”

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Alliance Alderman Tom Campbell described the events as “appalling acts of rioting and vandalism”.