VIDEO: ‘We need your help to take on the mob’, says police chief

In the aftermath of a 100-strong mob of masked men descending on the town and wrecking homes, viciously assaulting a man and attacking police, the local community is being urged to do their part to help catch those responsible.

Speaking exclusively to the Larne Times, Chief Inspector Catherine Magee said: “There are people in the community who know information and we need them to phone us.

“The community know: they know who is dealing drugs, they know the illegal taxis, they know who has got counterfeit goods, they know who is involved in this activity. We need them to tell us, so that we can provide the best policing response possible.”

“I can’t stress how important it is that the community tell us what they know. There are mothers, wives, partners, brothers in the Larne community who know who is involved in all of this activity. They knew that they were going to be involved in something that night, but they didn’t tell us. And if the community don’t tell us and the community don’t share the information that they have, we cannot be as effective.”

She pledged that police will act on information. “The best information we can receive is a written statement, where a member of the community will come forward and make a written statement about what they know, or what they have seen in relation to any form of criminal activity. We can take that to court and we do take it to court.”

Chief Insp Magee urged people to contact police directly either through their local neighbourhood policing team, by phoning the new number 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.