Residents in Kilwilke and north Lurgan have been left distressed after stones were allegedly thrown at passing cars, Sinn Féin councillor Keith Haughian has said.
In a social media post on Saturday evening, Councillor Haughian said he had spoken to a resident whose children were in a car targeted by stones and had been “terrified”.
He said the behaviour was not “just a bit of messing about” and claimed a group of young people had also prevented a Department for Infrastructure gritter from servicing the area two nights earlier, creating unsafe road conditions.
“I am contacting the Police to report this ongoing behaviour and I have already spoken to youth workers,” he said.
Councillor Haughian urged parents and guardians to check where their children were and what they were doing, saying they had a responsibility to ensure they were not involved in anti-community behaviour.
The post prompted comments from residents, including one who said stones had been thrown at their car on North Circular Road the previous night while they were working as a domiciliary carer.
Others expressed concern about the reported incidents, while several called for more activities and youth provision in the area. Suggestions included opening a community centre, running a youth club or organising indoor sports.
One commenter said a centre was “lying empty all week” and argued that providing somewhere for young people to go could help keep them off the streets.
Said Councillor Haughian: “We are all sick of this. If your child is out tonight in the area you are being asked to check where they are and what they are doing. You as parents/guardians have a responsibility to ensure they aren’t involved in anti community behaviour.”
