South Belfast residents are being "tortured" by regular anti-social behaviour at a waste ground involving fires, underage drinking and drug use.
The waste ground at the junction of Ormeau Road and Shaftesbury Avenue has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour in recent months, causing great concern to local residents.
There have been a number of fires set at the location, including multiple taking place in the one day, with local residents having to take action into their own hands to extinguish them.
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Local councillors have said they are engaging with police around the incidents in the hopes that some action can be taken to make the area a safer place for everyone living there.
SDLP South Belfast councillor Gary McKeown said: “Residents have been tortured for some time with antisocial behaviour on this site, but the issue has escalated recently with fires being set on a regular basis. I’m really worried that this could result in serious injury or even death for some of the young people involved. There has also been a problem with drug-taking on the site.
“We are seeing fires being set, sometimes multiple times in a single day, which is creating a risk for homes and businesses in the area. I recently had to report one through to the fire service that was lit right up against a gable wall.
“Residents are often going out and extinguishing the fires themselves, but the fire service say that this carries risk. However, people understandably feel that they don’t want to waste the fire service’s time, especially when this is happening so often.
“I have been talking to the police and the council about this, and I submitted a request for an alley gate for the entry adjacent to the site to be considered, but even if this is successful it would take some time to be installed, and ultimately responsibility lies with the owner of the site to make it secure. I am asking them to come out and look at the situation, see what is going on, and secure it.
“This location has being lying vacant for decades and is currently on the market, but needs to be sorted out ASAP before something terrible happens. The community would like to see the site turned into something productive and suitable for the area, but it needs secured in the meantime. It's an eyesore – the residents here are proud of their area and want the best for it, and they deserve nothing less.
“I would urge parents to please keep an eye on where their children are going as the last thing we want to see is a young person getting badly injured. I would also encourage residents to report incidents to the police and fire service, as this is the only way that it goes onto their systems so an appropriate response can be put in place."
Police in south Belfast have said they are aware of ongoing issues of anti-social behaviour in the lower Ormeau Road area.
Sergeant Barnes said: "We constantly monitor crime trends and deploy our resources to the areas of greatest need and vulnerability and regularly run targeted policing operations, working alongside partners to address community concerns.
“I would encourage everyone to report incidents of anti-social behaviour. These reports create opportunities for intervention and prevention by police and other partners.
“We all have a responsibility to help make where we live safer for everyone. Reporting crimes or incidents that impact on your quality of life help focus our patrols where they are needed and take positive action. Ring us on 101, report online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or speak directly to your Neighbourhood Team.
“A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.”
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