ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour in the Flying Horse area of Downpatrick flared up again at the weekend, with police reporting “numerous calls”.
On Sunday evening Downpatrick PSNI said children as young as six were told to “keep watch” for police while older children rode scramblers in the area. They also reported the Fire Service being stoned as they attended a fire in the Flying Horse area.
In a message on their Facebook page, police said the behaviour “needs to stop”.
“We are asking for parents to please be aware of what their children are doing and who they are with,” the message read.
“We are asking you, the local community, to support police and to assist us by knowing what your children are doing.
“Police are also aware of youths in the John Street area causing annoyance to residents. These children are as young as 12. Where is your child this evening?
“Police will continue to deal with calls of any nature in any area as required but anti-social behaviour and stone throwing severely impedes our ability to do so. Again we need your support in dealing with this.”
In May and June the Flying Horse and Model Farm areas of the Killough Road were under scrutiny for widespread anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. The Fire Service attended a number of deliberately lit gorse fires in the area and residents complained of bins being burnt.
In response to Sunday’s PSNI appeal, a number of residents expressed their frustration at a resurgence in the trouble to police, with one woman saying her grandfather’s bin had now been stolen for the third time.
South Down MLA Emma Rogan said Sinn Fein had been made aware of several recent incidents of anti-social behaviour at the estates, including underage drinking and setting fire to waste bins.
She is due to attend a meeting to discuss increasing concern about the behaviour of young people in the area.
“Some residents are terrified to leave their homes and that is unacceptable,” she said. “I have requested a meeting with PSCP and Housing Executive officials and members of the Flying Horse Community Forum to discuss how we can tackle these incidents.”
The MLA is also encouraging anyone with information about any of the incidents at this part of the town to contact police.
Police have also appealed for anyone with information contact them, or to get in touch with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.