PSNI officers and police vehicles attacked by youths during Belfast car meet

TWO PSNI OFFICERS were struck and a number of police vehicles were damaged during a car meet-up in Belfast yesterday evening.

The PSNI said its officers “came under attack by youths throwing bottles and masonry” after it responded to numerous reports that large crowds of people and vehicles had gathered in west Belfast and were driving dangerously.

Images posted online showed a young person on top of a PSNI riot van, while others kicked the van and hurled masonry at it.

However, a local Sinn Féin MLA has said he is “angry and sad” over a lack of “preventative measures” from the PSNI.

Yesterday at around 6.30pm, west Belfast MLA Danny Baker posted on social media that the proposed gathering on the Stewartstown Road area of west Belfast is “simply not acceptable”.

“Our community does not want cars travelling across the city for so called ‘meet ups’,” said Baker.

“People are going about their daily lives, and should not be being stuck in a convoy along the Stewartstown Road,” added Baker. “It is the last thing we need or want.”

It’s understood the car meet was organised in memory of a recently deceased man.

Later yesterday evening, Baker posted footage from the Stewartstown Road which showed cars performing donuts in the road, with people around filming.

“PSNI were well warned, and I asked for preventive measures,” said Baker. “They didn’t listen and failed in their duties. They didn’t prepare and left our community to pick up the pieces.”

He added that it was “shameful and unacceptable” for the PSNI not to take preventive measures.

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“The PSNI knew about the event and didn’t take the necessary measures,” said Baker.

“I gave solutions, I was being proactive myself from late afternoon and gave up around 7.10pm because it was already out of control.”

In a follow-up post this morning, Baker said he is “angry and sad” that the “preventive measures from the PSNI that simply didn’t come”.

“Our community is getting a bad name, and much-fought-for resources are being destroyed,” said Baker.

“Adults involved in or turning a blind eye to their child’s behaviour need to have a long, hard look at themselves.

“We don’t want motorbikes flying up and down the road, or cars drifting and speeding. Enough is enough.”

In a statement late last night, the PSNI appealed for information following the disorder.

“I would appeal to those people involved in this kind of reckless behaviour on our roads to think about the possible serious consequence of their actions,” said a chief inspector.

“Not only does this kind of activity impact on the lives of local residents, but it can present a significant danger to other road users.”

The chief inspector added that police will “use all powers available to them to ensure the safety of road users, including the power to seize vehicles”.

“We have been, and will continue to work with our partner organisations, including local politicians, to address this issue, and work towards delivering a safe solution,” added the chief inspector.

“An evidence gathering operation was in place and an investigation is now underway to identify those involved in disorder.”  

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