Police warn against ‘vigilante activity’ after damage to west Belfast property

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

Police have warned against people “taking the law into their own hands” after an assault and a report of criminal damage in west Belfast.

The PSNI said a man was taken to hospital with a serious injury after he was assaulted by a number of men on Suffolk Road shortly after 8pm on Sunday.

Police said they had spoken to the man earlier after a separate report that he had made remarks to a teenage girl that made her uncomfortable.

The force said they were aware of speculation connecting the incident to recent reported approaches to women and attempted sexual assaults in the area but stressed there was no evidence linking it to previous reports and no arrests have been made.

Police then received a report of criminal damage to a property in the Ardcaoin area of west Belfast just before 6pm on Monday.

They said damage was caused to the windows and doors and that no one was in the property at the time.

Chief Inspector Hamilton said that at this stage of the investigation they believed the two incidents were linked.

“We would reiterate that we are aware of online speculation connecting last night’s assault to recent reported approaches to women and attempted sexual assaults in the west Belfast area; however there is no evidence linking these reports at present, and no arrests have been made.

“We want to make it clear that the Police Service of Northern Ireland will not tolerate any type of vigilante activity and we would caution any individual or group in the strongest terms against taking the law into their own hands.

“The Police Service is responsible for law enforcement in Northern Ireland, not the community.

“We are continuing to liaise with elected and community representatives to discuss these issues and our officers will be providing a visible policing presence throughout west Belfast.

“If you have concerns – report them to police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.”