Federation urges parents to take control of children

The Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) Liam Kelly has condemned appalling scenes of disorder in west Belfast’s Stewartstown Road.

Mr Kelly said: “What happened in west Belfast was both reckless and irresponsible.

“There are clear warnings from community leaders and local politicians that unless dangerous anti-social behaviour ends, there is inevitably likely to be serious injury or worse.

“Police officers are doing all they can to maintain order and contain lawlessness along the Stewartstown Road. They have been attacked for doing their best to protect the community and end this very public show of thuggery.

“They are criticised by some that they should be doing more to end these appalling scenes of disorder and mayhem. Police officers don’t have a panacea to stop this feral behaviour. They will work with others trying to bring about change and prevent young people from getting criminal records, but parents, too, must get off the fence and take control of their own children.

“Parents must take their parental and guardian responsibilities seriously. They are central to ending this madness. They cannot be mere spectators on the sidelines as in truth they hold the key to restoring order to the area.”