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Families flee anti-social youths | Families flee anti-social youths |
(40 minutes later) | |
A number of families have been forced out of their homes in north Belfast in recent days by the behaviour of anti-social teenagers in the area. | A number of families have been forced out of their homes in north Belfast in recent days by the behaviour of anti-social teenagers in the area. |
Other residents in Queen Victoria Gardens say they want to leave as soon as possible. | Other residents in Queen Victoria Gardens say they want to leave as soon as possible. |
They say there are fires at unoccupied houses and residents are verbally abused as they walk along their street. | They say there are fires at unoccupied houses and residents are verbally abused as they walk along their street. |
It is claimed the trouble-makers are not from the street, but come in from neighbouring areas. | It is claimed the trouble-makers are not from the street, but come in from neighbouring areas. |
One mother, who was afraid to give her name, said she was not surprised people have left in recent days and that she also wants out. | One mother, who was afraid to give her name, said she was not surprised people have left in recent days and that she also wants out. |
"People don't want to be seen telling anybody because then they'll get more hassle, it's a vicious circle," she said. | "People don't want to be seen telling anybody because then they'll get more hassle, it's a vicious circle," she said. |
"This is no way to live - we've had this for years and you get to the stage where you can't take any more, you just want out." | "This is no way to live - we've had this for years and you get to the stage where you can't take any more, you just want out." |
Response | |
Community leaders are understood to be in talks with the relevant authorities to try to deal with the situation. | Community leaders are understood to be in talks with the relevant authorities to try to deal with the situation. |
"I know most of the local kids and one of their biggest problems is boredom," said Reverend Robert Beckett. | |
"The problem is not a sectarian one, it's more a criminal one that is fuelled by drugs and alcohol. | |
"Some of these kids are still running around at three o'clock in the morning and really part of the solution is for the parents to take a greater degree of responsibility and know where their kids are." |