Man Arrested And Stolen Goods Recovered Following South Belfast Burglary

Police have arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of handling stolen goods following a burglary at a house on Sandhurst Drive in South Belfast last week. A number of electronic items reported stolen during the incident have also been recovered.

The burglary occurred on Wednesday, 14th May, when a range of electronic items were taken from the property.

The arrest took place on Sunday, 18th May, when Neighbourhood Police Officers spotted the man acting suspiciously in the North Street area of Belfast city centre. Following a short foot chase, he was detained, searched, and subsequently arrested.

A number of the electronic items that had been reported as stolen were recovered as a result of the search. The arrested man remains in police custody at this time.

Neighbourhood Inspector Róisín Brown commented: 'This arrest comes as a result of excellent proactive police work by officers out being visible in their community over the weekend."

Addressing concerns in the community, Inspector Brown added: 'Burglary is a very personal crime, and I appreciate that it has caused concern to residents across south Belfast. We want you to know that police are listening to these concerns, and are taking every opportunity to identify and arrest offenders. I commend all those involved in the investigation."

Inspector Brown also issued a timely reminder about home security ahead of the summer months. 'Ensuring the security of your property is a vital consideration over the summer, so please remember to lock windows and doors of your property. It only takes a few minutes to enter your home and take valuables so we encourage everyone to ensure the safekeeping of their house, shed and any other outbuildings."

Police encourage the public to report any suspicious activity in their area by calling the non-emergency number 101 or via the PSNI website. In an emergency, always call 999. More information on home security is available at psni.police.uk/safety-and-support/keeping-safe/protecting-your-home.

SDLP Nominates Paul Doherty As Next Belfast Deputy Lord Mayor

The SDLP has announced it will nominate West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty as the next Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast.

Councillor Doherty, who is widely recognised for his anti-poverty campaigning in the city and is the founder of the charity Foodstock, is set to officially take up the role on June 2nd.

His nomination was confirmed following a meeting of the SDLP group on Belfast City Council, who commended his dedicated work in tackling poverty and empowering people through employment and educational programmes in communities across the city.

Councillor Doherty expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, stating it was the honour of a lifetime to represent the people of West Belfast in this capacity.

"This is an incredible honour - not just for me, but for the community I come from," said Councillor Doherty. "I grew up in Turf Lodge, where we faced real struggles, but we also had an incredible sense of community spirit and solidarity which has shaped who I am today. To now represent our city in this way is deeply humbling, and I want to use every minute of this year to make a real difference."

St John the Baptist PS Helps Launch Belfast In Bloom Competition

Staff and pupils from St John the Baptist Primary School have called on budding gardeners across Belfast to enter the annual Belfast in Bloom competition.

The school was a winner in last year's contest, scooping the prize for Best School Garden (West). Their outdoor space is a vibrant area designed to bring together pupils, parents, and grandparents, fostering a love for growing. It features wildflowers, seasonal planting, vegetables, as well as habitats like bug houses to support local wildlife.

Run by Belfast City Council, Belfast in Bloom celebrates the dedication and efforts of local residents, community groups, businesses, and schools in enhancing the city's green spaces and floral displays.

Councillor Matt Garrett, Deputy Chair of Belfast City Council's People and Communities Committee, visited the school garden and praised their work. "What a brilliant space the children and their teachers have built, creating a place that looks amazing and encourages young people to spend time outdoors, in nature, together with their friends and families," he said.

Councillor Garrett added that the school's Belfast in Bloom award was "well deserved and really appreciated by the school as an acknowledgement of all the hard work and effort that has gone into the garden."

The competition is free to enter, and nominations can be made online at belfastcity.gov.uk/belfastinbloom. The closing date for the school awards' category is Friday 20th June 2025, while the deadline for all other categories is Friday 1st August 2025. Judging will take place in August.