Partying teens ‘were swinging off power pylon’

Residents on the Rocky Road, Knockbreda, said up to 50 teenagers arrived in taxis or cars to the field, which is beside the former Lisnabreeny American Military Cemetery.

One woman who witnessed the scene said a group of boys scaled an electricity pylon in the middle of the field. There were kids swinging off the pylon, it was an accident waiting to happen, she said.

“After the police left, about 20 of the teenagers came back,” said the woman, adding they left the field in a mess with beer cans, bottles and rubbish, which residents cleared up the following day.

Alliance councillor Michael Long said: “This is a very concerning development and a breach of the regulations around Covid-19. These young people are not only putting themselves and their loved ones at risk from Covid-19 but the fact that they are climbing on electricity pylons is completely reckless. I would appeal to these people to start acting sensibly as it is only a matter of time until someone is seriously injured or killed.

“I will be contacting the PSNI locally to see if they can increase patrols to ensure any breaches of lockdown as well as ensuring that the pylons are secured.”

Police in east Belfast confirmed they responded to a number of reports of large groups of youths gathering in the Rocky Road area.

A spokesperson said: “Officers attended and dispersed the crowd. We received further reports of youths returning and police continued to attend the area throughout the evening. One youth was spoken to and taken home to his parents and will be referred to the youth diversion officer.

“I would ask young people who choose to engage in anti-social behaviour to think again and understand it is unacceptable. People have a right to live in peace and to feel safe in their communities and at a time when we face a global health emergency posed by Covid-19 it is vital that everyone adheres to the government’s regulations in relation to social distancing.

“It is therefore even more important at this time that parents are vigilant and speak to their children about where they are and who they are with. I would encourage anyone affected by anti-social behaviour to report the matter to police immediately on 101.”