Police log rise in incidents

They were among 4,500 incidents of anti-social behaviour reported to the PSNI across the Upper Bann area.

Anti-social behaviour can encompass a range of activities including vandalism, environmental damage, firework misuse and also causing nuisance.

Upper Bann MLA Sydney Anderson, a former member of the Stormont Justice Committee, said he had followed recent events closely. “I am frankly overwhelmed ,” he said, “by the fact that over 4,500 incidents of anti-social behaviour were reported to the PSNI over a 12 month period in the Upper Bann constituency.

“It is now imperative that the community as a whole unites together to ensure that incidents of anti-social behaviour are reduced as much as possible as we move forward.

Mr Anderson continued: “In particular the PSNI, the new ABC Policing and Community Safety Partnership, other community safety partner agencies such as Fire and Rescue services and social housing landlords, all have a responsibility to deal with anti-social behaviour and to help those who are suffering as a result of it.

“When looking at police figures it appears that generally cases of anti-social behaviour increase over the summer months.

“As the weather improves and the light nights are with us people do tend to spend more time out and about their local areas.

He concluded: “As such it is vital that people act responsibility and do not get caught up in anything which might lead them to get involved in carrying out an act of anti-social behaviour.

“I will be meeting with the police in the coming days to discuss issues of anti-social behaviour.

“I know that the PSNI in the local area have been firmly committed to addressing the problem of anti-social behaviour.”