Emergency services were "attacked" by a "large group of young people" after a large fire was started at a Belfast park over the weekend.
On Saturday, January 18, police said a large group of local young people gathered at Colin Glen Forest Park adjacent to Suffolk Road in West Belfast. A "large fire" was started, which caused damage to the surrounding area.
While responding to this incident, police and fire service officers were "attacked with stones and missiles" by the young people present. Police are investigating the incident and reviewing video footage from the scene.
In a statement issued on social media, a spokesperson for Police West Belfast said: "On Saturday 18th January 2025 a large group of local young people gathered along Colin Glen adjacent to Suffolk Road at which time a large fire was started causing damage.
"The young people involved then attacked the responding fire service and local police with stones and missiles.
"This behaviour is unacceptable and placed the community at risk. Considerable damage has been caused to the nature trail. Police are investigating the matter and examining video footage."
SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty has urged the young people involved to stop engaging in such behaviour. He said: "It’s disgraceful that the fire service and police came under attack when responding to this incident.
"They do a tough job in difficult circumstances and nobody should be subjected to attacks of this nature. I also condemn the damage caused by this fire, these young people are only harming their local community and I would urge them to cease this kind of behaviour before they end up with a criminal record or worse.”
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service has been contacted for comment.
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