Police in Downpatrick called a public meeting this week as residents living in two housing estates are being left 'afraid in their own homes' due to anti-social behaviour.
The meeting on Tuesday night, took place in the Ballymote Sports Centre at 5pm. On a leaflet issued to residents in the Model Farm and Flying Horse estates, police said the hour-long meet was to discuss "local issues".
It comes as disruptive and dangerous behaviour in the area is causing distress to the community. In recent months, cars have been damaged and other incidents of crime reported.
Read more: No arrests after PSNI stop car and find BB gun moments after jogger shot
Some residents say they have "lost faith" in the PSNI and that "more action needs taken" before the trouble escalates further.
In a statement to Belfast Live, a PSNI spokesperson said they are "committed" to solving the issues.
Superintendent. Norman Haslett, PSNI District Commander for Newry, Mourne & Down, added: “We have been working with partner agencies and the local community to address the ongoing concerns around anti-social behaviour. We are acutely aware of the adverse effect antisocial behaviour is having on local residents and we are committed to working to address this.
“We listened to local residents who made very passionate submissions on the affect that anti-social behaviour in the area is having on their families and on the general community. We have heard what they had to say and we are committed to working together with our partner agencies to solve the issues they raised and to improve the quality of life for everyone who lives in the Model farm and Flying Horse Estates."
Last month, a police officer was hospitalised following several hours of disorder in the Co Down town.
Officers say during the incident in The Flying Horse Estate on Friday September 9, up to 30 youths were involved in throwing petrol bombs, bottles and masonry at police.
One officer required hospital treatment for a head injury after they were struck on the head by a bottle during the disorder which police say lasted into the early hours of this morning, September 10. A police car windscreen was also smashed during the incident.
In the same week, a teenage girl was taken to hospital after the car she was travelling in was attacked.
Police say they had been dealing with "ongoing disorder" in the Killough Road area of Downpatrick. That disorder resulted in a car window being smashed last night with an object, believed to be a rock.
The occupants of the car were injured, and a young teenage girl was taken to hospital after she was struck.
READ NEXT:
Community minibus and car burnt out in "completely unacceptable" attacks
Residents' anger and fear as trouble escalates in housing estate
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
