Residents living in fear as gang of 100 youths party in subway ignoring social distancing

After around 100 youths invaded a Co Armagh anti-social blackspot at the weekend, residents vented anger that nothing has been done despite decades of campaigning.
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The PSNI said it ‘spoke to’ around 100 youths who residents said were partying for hours at the underpass on Lurgan’s Portadown Road.

Several residents in the Oakridge and Mansfield areas called police after the gang congregated on Saturday night.

One resident said several of the youths appeared to be ‘under the influence’ of something and ‘off their heads’.

Subway at Portadown Road Lurgan.Subway at Portadown Road Lurgan.
Subway at Portadown Road Lurgan.

She said: “The local elderly residents are at their wits end with all the antisocial behaviour.

“They can’t understand why nothing is being done by police or the council.

“Residents are still waiting to hear the outcome of a gating order application since 2017,

“There has been no progress to date and no one from the council has been in touch.

“We have been left to cope with this ongoing nightmare on our own.

“It seems that no one from the council has given the local elderly residents a second thought.

“We are not prepared to give up the fight on this.”

The PSNI said they responded to a report of anti-social activity and young people failing to adhere to social distancing at the underpass on Saturday evening.

A second caller reported over 20 youths causing a disturbance along the black paths between Oakridge and Mansfield.

The PSNI spokesperson said police attended at 22.41 and they appeared to be around 20 youths from the original group police had spoken to and were moving away from the underpass.

When asked about the progress of the gating plans, and if and when it will be taking place or if it has been shelved, a spokesperson for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council said: “Further work is required to ensure that all the statutory consultation findings are still relevant in order to complete the process.”

The council was also asked if there were any plans to do anything about the anti-social behaviour at this location?

A spokesperson said: “The PCSP has liaised with the PSNI and other relevant organisations to identify ways in which the anti-social behaviour at this location can be addressed.

“Support has been offered previously to local youth organisations to deliver diversionary type activities and programmes.

“The PCSP and Council will continue to work with all organisations involved to address these issues.”

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