Disorder and ongoing investigation, Belfast
15 Jul 2010
There were sporadic incidents of disorder in North Belfast, mainly in the Brompton Park area, on the evening of Wednesday 14 July and morning of Thursday 15 July.
Shortly before 8pm, a number of youths began to gather in the Brompton, Twaddell and Ardoyne shopfronts areas.
A car was stolen from Duneden Gardens was set alight at the junctions of Brompton Park and Crumlin Road. Initial enquiries suggest that a woman was stepping into her parked car when she was pulled from the car and the vehicle stolen.
A number of missiles, including petrol bombs were thrown at police. Fireworks were directed towards police lines.
A number of Attenuated Energy Projectiles rounds were discharged and water cannon used.
A male aged in his early 20s and a male aged in his late teens were arrested.
A number of police officers sustained injuries which are not believed to be serious.
The area was calm by around 2am. Police continued to monitor the area throughout the morning.
Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland explained: "This was a substantially smaller group of people than previous evenings which included around a hardened core of around 12 people who were intent on causing disorder. We also had the issue of spectators in the area and I would ask them to think carefully about their safety and stay away in future.
"A number of community workers worked hard to exercise their influence last night and I would thank them for that. However, I would ask them to redouble their efforts. In this way, working together, we can help bring these incidents to an end.
"Alongside our effective police operations during the incidents of disorder, we will now continue to work hard to identity those involved and will be doing our utmost to put people before the courts. We are very clear that we can and we will continue to maintain public safety and public confidence - we would appeal for the assistance of everyone to that end.
“We will be conducting a major investigation into the incidents over the past few days and I would encourage anyone with information to contact us on 0845 600 8000 or alternatively, information about any of these disturbances can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111," he said.
Elsewhere, in relation to recent disorder in a number of areas of Belfast:
- A 20-year-old male was charged with disorderly behaviour.
He was expected to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on the morning of Thursday 15 July.
As is normal procedure, the charges are subject to review by the Public Prosecution Service.
The charge follows the search of a house at Lavinia Mews and relates to disorder on the Ormeau Road on Monday 12 July.
- Also in relation to the same incident, a 15-year-old female was arrested as a result of a search of a house at Rutland Street. She was released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service.
- On Wednesday 14 July, a 17 year-old male was arrested by police investigating an incident on the Albertbridge Road.
The incident occurred shortly after 2am on Tuesday 13 July when a petrol bomb was thrown from the Short Strand area and struck a car.
The 17 year-old male was released pending further enquiries.
- A number of searches were carried out in the Ardoyne area on Wednesday 14 July in relation to recent disorder and a number of items taken away for further examination.
- A 27 year old man and 35 year old man were arrested by detectives investigating a gun attack on police in the North Queen Street area of Belfast during disorder in the early hours of Monday 12 July.
The suspects were arrested from the New Lodge area on the morning of Thursday 15 July.
Three officers were injured in the gun attack; one of them remains in hospital. Police say they need more assistance from the community in North Queen Street and New Lodge.
Anyone who can help the investigation is asked to call detectives on 0845 600 8000, alternatively information about crime can be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity by calling 0800 555 111.
