Police are seeking information and digital evidence after widespread disorder and reckless scrambler riding in west Belfast on Saturday, 18 July. A Major Incident Public Portal has been opened to help identify those involved.

Officers had mounted a planned operation following morning reports of dangerous driving, as a large group of young people rode scrambler-type bikes at speed across the wider Stewartstown Road and Falls Road areas. Many had partially covered faces, were not wearing helmets and showed no regard for their own safety or that of others.

Resources from across Belfast, including a Tactical Support Group unit, were deployed and evidence gathered. During the disorder, bins and loading cages were dragged onto the junction of Stewartstown Road and Bell Steel Road and some were set alight, forcing a road closure and public warnings to avoid the area.

Crowds of up to 100 people, many believed to be in their early teens, assembled and threw masonry at police. Eleven police vehicles were damaged — 10 Land Rovers and one car — and one officer was assaulted.

To tackle the illegal riding, officers used stingers on a number of vehicles and seized a scrambler. Its 17-year-old rider was interviewed on suspicion of dangerous driving, no licence, no insurance and no number plate, with a report to be submitted to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

To date, a 27-year-old man has been charged with disorderly behaviour and is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Friday, 14 August. A 22-year-old man arrested in connection with a serious assault on Saturday night involving iron bars has been released on bail pending further enquiries. A 14-year-old boy arrested on Sunday, 19 July on suspicion of offences including riot and disorderly behaviour has been released pending a report to the PPS. In addition to three arrests made on Saturday night, a 31-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman were charged on Tuesday, 14 July in relation to a report of three non-legal scramblers being ridden dangerously in the Stewartstown Road area. A 17-year-old male was also cautioned for multiple motoring offences following this incident.

Chief Inspector Kelly Gibson, West Belfast Area Commander, said: "We know the local community is very concerned about what took place in west Belfast on Saturday night – and of ongoing antisocial behaviour in the area.

"We're continuing to progress our investigation and to review evidence from the weekend. As such, we intend to make further arrests following these shameful scenes.

"Our targeted patrols will subsequently continue in the Stewartstown Road and surrounding areas to detect offenders on bikers who are driving illegally.

"We would reiterate our appeal to parents and guardians to speak to their young people and warn them of the dangers of getting involved in behaviour which could result in them obtaining a criminal record.

"We'd also ask that the community continues to report the illegal and dangerous driving of scrambler-type bikes so we can help to make our roads safer for everyone. The safety of local communities is paramount and our officers have been working closely alongside our partner agencies, local representatives and the community to address these problems."

Anyone with photos or digital footage — including CCTV, mobile phone or dash-cam — can share it via the Major Incident Public Portal: mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI26W20-PO1

Information can also be provided through the PSNI witness appeal form at reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals, quoting reference 346 of 18/07/26, or by calling 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/.