Police Attacked With Masonry During Call Out In North Belfast

Police were attacked with masonry and trees as they responded to an urgent call in north Belfast on Tuesday night, 02 October.

According to reports, industrial bins were dragged onto North Queen Street and set alight as police attended an urgent call for assistance from a member of the public in the New Lodge area just after 7.30pm.

In a strongly worded statement Chief Inspector Kelly Moore said: "While I am thankful that no officers were injured last night, a number of our vehicles were damaged and one is now off the road awaiting repair.

"Last night roads were barricaded with stolen industrial bins which were set on fire; fireworks, masonry and trees thrown at police vehicles. At one point our Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service colleagues had to withdraw from the area.

"The local community deserves better. Residents of North Belfast should not be subjected to these incidents of criminal and anti-social behaviour. Local police should be able to answer calls for assistance when the public most need us, and not come under attack from young people.

"I want to reassure the community in North Belfast, that in addition to investigating last night's disorder, we will have additional resources dedicated to North Belfast to respond to any incidents. We will also have CCTV vehicles in the area to record footage of any incidents.

"We should not need to deploy these resources. Time and time again we have asked parents and guardians to ensure they know where their young people are, what they are doing and who they are with."

Autumn And Harvest-Themed Street Party To Be Held In Belfast City Centre

Belfast City Council has announced an autumn and harvest-themed street party for all the family to be held on Castle Street in Belfast City Centre.

Local traders will spill out into the streets on Friday 26 October (3pm-9pm) to highlight and celebrate the wealth of independent retailers and the variety of goods and services on offer in the area.

The event will feature live music and demos, arts and crafts, and some "ghostly and ghoulish" street performers, alongside a range of food stalls.

Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Deirdre Hargey said: "As part of Belfast City Council's investment in the Castle Street area, this event had been planned before the fire at Bank Buildings, to shine a light on this part of the city centre.

"The fire has had such a devastating impact on the Castle Street area, in particular, so it's now more important than ever that we rally round the business community, and I'd encourage everyone to make a date in their diary and join us for what promises to be a really fun afternoon and evening."

She added: "There will also be some spot prizes for the best fancy dress so it's time to start planning your costume and get into the Halloween spirit."

As part of the Council investment, new artwork for the area was commissioned as part of the Hit the North festival, and colourful crossings will appear on the road to celebrate the area's heritage and built environment. People may also spot the new Belfast Music hoardings.

Susan Picken from Culture Night said: "Following on from last month's event, the Culture Night team are delighted to be working with Folktown on the first Castle Street fair, creating a lively, vibrant, carnival-type atmosphere in the city centre. We'd invite everyone to come along and join in the festival spirit and start the weekend in style." 

Sophie Rasmussen from the Folktown Initiative added: "We are delighted to work with Belfast City Council and Culture Night Belfast to bring a true spectacle to the area. It is a tough time but I think we really need to look forward now and celebrate the wonderful and diverse community of businesses, artist and people living and working here every day."

SDLP 'Shocked Beyond Belief' DfI Have Not Reported Damages To PSNI

SDLP MLA John Dallat has said that he is "shocked beyond belief" that the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has made no formal complaints to the PSNI about damage caused to kerbstones and other public property in the last three years.

The information was obtained by Mr Dallat in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Departmental Information Manager at the DfI

The MLA for East Derry said: "I am shocked beyond belief that a government department responsible for millions of pounds of public property doesn’t have a practice of reporting criminal damage as a matter of course.

"The cost of removing paint and replacing signage criminally damaged must run into hundreds of thousands of pounds and nothing can be done to deal with the culprits because there are no formal complaints made by the DfI.

"In a recent meeting with PSNI chiefs this anomaly was highlighted to me as the reason offered as to why they have made no attempt to prosecute those involved in painting roundabouts, kerbstones and other public property.

"The police claimed in cases where they know the culprits they have not submitted files to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) because they would be rejected because no one is complaining. They went further and suggested that even if the PPS were to recommend prosecutions these would be thrown out of court, again because there is no formal complaint made.

"I will go back to DfI to establish who took the decision not to prosecute and for what reasons."