PSNI charge man to court after scrambler disorder closes road in West Belfast
Police investigating widespread disorder which closed a main road in west Belfast have charged a man to court.
The 27-year-old has been charged with disorderly behaviour, and is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 14th August.
The charge comes after three men were arrested after widespread disorder in the Stewartstown Road and Falls Road area in west Belfast throughout Saturday.
Incidents of disorder and reckless riding of scrambler bikes in the area have been condemned by the PSNI and politicians.
One police officer was injured and 11 PSNI vehicles were damaged in the incidents.
Police reported today, Monday, that a 22-year-old man arrested in connection with a serious assault involving iron bars that resulted in a man being taken to hospital, has been released on police bail to allow for further enquiries.
Chief Inspector Philip Robinson said: “We are continuing to progress with our investigation, and intend to make further arrests following Saturday night’s shameful scenes in the wider Stewartstown Road and Falls Roads area, including Dunmurry and M1.
“As part of these enquiries, a 14-year-old teenage boy was arrested on Sunday, 19th July on suspicion of a number of offences including riot and disorderly behaviour.
“Following police interview, he was released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service.
“Our targeted patrols will also continue in the Stewartstown Road and other areas to detect offenders on bikers who are driving illegally.
“We would also reiterate our appeal to parents and guardians to speak to your young people and warn them of the dangers of getting involved in behaviour which could result in them obtaining a criminal record.”
He asked for anyone with information, or who can help identify those responsible to contact police using the witness appeal form at www.reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals quoting reference 346 18/07/26 or call us on 101.
A report can also be made online via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
The PSNI said it had launched an operation relating to dangerous driving from Saturday morning with a “large number of young people seen travelling at speed and dangerously on scrambler-type bikes”.
Bins and loading cages were placed across part of the Stewartstown Road at its junction with Bell Steel Road, with fires being set from some of those bins.
The road was closed for a time and the public was advised to avoid the area.
The PSNI said large crowds of up to 100 people gathered, many aged in their early teens, throwing masonry at police with 11 police vehicles damaged – 10 Land Rovers and one car – on Saturday evening and one officer was assaulted.