A Co Antrim woodland has become a hotspot for underage drinking and drug use with youths "coming from far and wide to cause mayhem".
Police and local councillors are working to find solutions to the ongoing anti-social behaviour at a piece of woodland beside the Tom Robinson Park in Lambeg which has seen young people from Belfast and Newry arrive to take part in underage drinking, drug use.
There have also been reports of arranged fights and it is understood that most of the youths arrive via train and walk to the area from the nearby Lambeg train halt.
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North Lisburn DUP councillor Jonathan Craig said: "There have been ongoing issues at the piece of woodland in Lambeg for a number of weeks now where young people are coming from far and wide to cause mayhem.
"Most are arriving by train to the Lambeg train halt and walking down to the area, and evidence of drink and drug use has been found among other serious things.
"There have also been reports of arranged fights taking place in the area with most of this being organised on social media.
"The ongoing problems are causing a lot of disruption for local residents and the council and police are working on solutions to address the issue. Police have already made a number of arrests."
UUP councillor Nicohlas Trimble echoed these concerns saying: "This has been a problem for a number of weeks now and the council and police are aware of the issue and working together to find solutions.
"It had been an issue prior to the Covid pandemic that seem to die down, but now it appears to be returning and is part of a wider issue of underage drinking and anti-social behaviour the entire length of the Lagan Towpath."
Police have said that on Monday, April 11, it was called to the location and found a heavily intoxicated female before calling her parents to take her home.
They have issued a warning to parents saying: "We have been dealing with increased numbers of young persons at Lambeg Road, Lisburn in the area of the Tom Robinson Memorial Park and the wooded area as shown behind the fencing.
"Over the last few weeks we have dealt with young persons travelling or being dropped off here from as far away as Belfast and dealt with reports of fights, underage drinking etc.
"Last night we came across a heavily intoxicated female in this area and parents were called to take her home with relevant offences being dealt with.
"We will be increasing patrols in this area to deter this type of activity due to the dangerous of the steep drop to the River Lagan and anti social behaviour.
"Any offences will be dealt with robustly."
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