Police had to escort a 13-year-old drunk girl to A&E due to alleged vodka intoxication. This was just one of the incidents which occurred in Belfast last night (Saturday).
Congregating youths have posed persistent problems for policing over the past few months. And police are constantly having to warn parents that this behaviour is unacceptable.
Last night, police operations were concentrated around Falls Park, City Cemetery and the playpark near the top of the Whiterock, as well as areas of North Belfast.
A camera crew was also directed to Laurelbank.
“I’ve just dropped an intoxicated 13-year-old female off at A&E due to vodka intoxication. Is that the call you want from me or one of my colleagues about your kids? I had to do the same thing two weeks ago too,” said a police spokesperson.
Oldpark NPU were out on patrol in the areas of Ligoneil, Ballysillan, Ardoyne and New Lodge to give reassurance to local residents. Large amounts of roaming kids in the area tonight and this was being dealt with our LPT colleagues and colleagues in the Castle NPU. pic.twitter.com/EtWKEmUtmJ
— PSNI North Belfast (@PSNIBelfastN) January 12, 2019
And they say enough is enough.
“Folks, laugh time over. Camera crew is on its way to Laurelbank. Make sure your children are not there or nearby.
“Complaints are coming from within your own community about this – not good enough,” added the spokesperson.
Youth workers have been asking young people to avoid trouble following the incident involving a crowd of approximately 150 youths, who were drinking alcohol and throwing stones and bottles at passing motorists in the Falls Park area.