'PARENTS HOLD KEY TO ENDING VIOLENCE'

NEWTOWNABBEY Police have initiated a campaign calling for the support of parents as a means of stopping violent clashes between rival gangs of youths in interface areas.

The move comes just days after a female police officer was struck on the head with a brick as she responded to reports of young people engaged in sectarian trouble in the Glenabbey Drive area of Whiteabbey.

While the officer's injuries weren't serious, the incident highlighted the ongoing problems in the area where youths from Monkstown and Glenville have been clashing on an almost daily basis.

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Interface violence involving large groups of teenagers, some armed with iron bars and even knives, has been a problem in parts of the borough for several years. Residents of Glebe Road West/Church Road in Glengormley and Abbeyglen in Whiteabbey have had to put up with some of the worst of the trouble. The area around the Valley Park has also seen its share of problems, with youths from Longlands/Bawnmore regularly involved in confrontations with teenagers from Rathcoole.

In the latest bid to stem the violence, the PSNI has teamed up with the local District Policing Partnership and Community Safety Partnership to speak directly to parents, warning them of the consequences of young people getting involved in anti-social or criminal activity.

Leaflets have been delivered to homes in the Valley and Glenville areas calling on parents of teenagers to actively supervise their children.

PSNI Area Commander, Chief Inspector Paula Hilman, believes it is vital to have parents on board when tackling issues such as anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

Read the full story in this week's Times...Keep up to date with all the latest news in the Newtownabbey Times...

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