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Following disturbances in east Belfast on Saturday evening, local parents have been strongly encouraged to keep track of their children’s whereabouts. The unrest unfolded after a planned band parade on Newtownards Road, during which large groups of young people gathered in the Connswater area, resulting in two fast food restaurants temporarily closing.
Incidents during the gathering included a smashed window and reports of assaults, prompting concern among community members. Ruth Brooks, a councillor representing the Democratic Unionist Party, voiced her worries about the situation, stating, “The message on this is – parents, where are your children?” She emphasized the negative impact of the youths’ behavior, highlighting the strain caused to residents, local community groups, youth workers, and the police attempting to maintain safety.
Brooks further criticized the apparent lack of parental oversight, saying, “There was a complete lack of parental responsibility for some of the individuals who came down here purely to just cause chaos.” She went on to note that the band parade had otherwise been a successful, culturally significant event, lamenting that such scenes detracted from an otherwise festive evening. The councillor described the community’s emotions as marked by disappointment and frustration, casting “a bit of a heavy cloud over what was a very successful evening.”
The Protestant Boys East Belfast band, which organized the parade, issued a clear statement condemning all disorderly conduct. They made it clear that such antisocial acts “do not represent us, our band, or the vast majority who attend to celebrate with pride and dignity,” and described the issue as societal rather than specifically linked to the parade. “Troublemakers are not welcome at our parade,” the statement affirmed, urging parents and guardians to talk to young people involved before anyone gets seriously hurt.
Police officers confirmed that they had collected additional evidence during the disturbances and would be reviewing it. Chief Inspector Robinson warned that proactive arrests would follow for those identified as having committed offences. He also appealed directly to parents and guardians, urging them to ensure their children’s whereabouts were known and to dissuade them from engaging in behavior that could lead to injury or further trouble
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