CCTV scheme for Holylands
A CCTV pilot scheme for the Holyland area of Belfast - so long blighted by students' behaviour - has been launched.
The initiative comes only days ahead of this year's St Patrick's Day celebrations.
Last year, rioting involving hundreds of students broke out in the vicinity around Queen's University. Several police officers were injured in the violence.
The cameras are aimed at helping to reduce anti-social behaviour as well as reducing crime and fear of crime in the Holyland and greater university area.
The project will be managed by Belfast City Council and monitored by the PSNI on a 24/7 basis.
Alliance MLA Anna Lo has welcomed the introduction of the pilot scheme.
She said: "This is a timely and very welcome scheme. I really hope the cameras will act as a deterrent to those contemplating any trouble this St Patrick's Day.
"I also hope this scheme will provide some more peace of mind for residents in the area. St Patrick's Day is for everyone and trouble must be prevented so that everyone can enjoy it."
Meanwhile, the University of Ulster has warned action will be taken against students engaged in anti-social activities during this year's
March 17 celebrations.
Students from Queen's University will receive a similar admonitory letter on Monday.
A letter sent to students by the University of Ulster authorities
warned of the consequences of unruly behaviour.
".... you should be aware that you are a representative of the
university both on and off campus, and carry with you the good name and reputation of the university," the letter said.
"It is a regrettable fact that anti-social behaviour by some students has, in the past, tarnished the good name of the university and its student body.
"In particular, St Patrick's Day 2009 saw disgraceful scenes on
the streets of south Belfast which resulted in criminal convictions for some students as well as disciplinary penalties for others."
A spokesperson for Queen's University told the News Letter, that a "multi-agency approach" involving the two universities, police and the housing executive had been put in place ahead of next week's celebrations.
Following last year's riots, Queen's revised their disciplinary
code, where students found guilty of anti-social offences could now face fines of 500.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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