Police hit out at ‘vigilante activity’ after Belfast incident

“It is the responsibility of the police service to enforce the law in Northern Ireland”

Police have warned that the do “not tolerate any type of vigilante activity” after an incident in Belfast on Sunday.

Officers say they received a report of a protest outside a property in the Ravenhill Road area of East Belfast last night, August 10. In a statement issued to Belfast Live, Chief Inspector Dunne said no arrests were made, and that a crowd dispersed without incident.

Chief Inspector Dunne added : “At approximately 11pm, it was reported that a large crowd had gathered outside the house and had become hostile towards the residents.

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“Officers attended and spoke to the crowd, which dispersed without incident. No arrests were made. The Police Service of Northern Ireland does not tolerate any type of vigilante activity and would caution any individual or group against taking the law into their own hands.”

The PSNI added: “It is the responsibility of the police service to enforce the law in Northern Ireland and we are committed to supporting the needs of all of our diverse communities.

“We will robustly review and deal with any offences reported to us. If you have information about crime in your area please contact the non-emergency number 101.

“Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”

Commenting on reports of vigilantism, Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime NI Geraldine Hanna said: “I have been sickened and deeply troubled by the videos we have seen online and, in the media, showing people being harassed on the street in Belfast due to the colour of their skin.

“My first thoughts are with those who have been accosted simply because they are in a public space and not white. I can only imagine their terror at being confronted and demonised by these gangs.

“Gangs, with no right or legal reason, stopping people who are of a different race to them and demanding to see their papers is something from an Orwellian nightmare.

“These chilling incidents are also potentially racially motivated hate crimes, creating more victims, and I trust the police will do everything in their power to curb these groups and investigate where a hate crime may have been committed.

“There are many things that need to be done to better protect and support victims of crime, this is not one of them. The gangs who are carrying out this harassment have no right to claim authority over our streets.

“They create victims, breed fear, and there is no justification for them taking it upon themselves to go about harassing and intimidating people.

“We have a criminal justice system for a reason and if anyone has concerns about suspicious activity or law breaking, they should contact the police.”

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