Latest news with #AnnaleeStreet
BBC News
25-05-2025
- BBC News
North Belfast residents left feeling 'on edge' following sectarian attack
Residents in a north Belfast community are feeling frustrated and "on edge" after a number of homes were damaged in a sectarian-motivated attack, according to a local comes after a group of masked individuals were reported to have thrown masonry at the properties, in the Annalee Street and Alloa Street areas, on Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they have stepped up patrols in the Friday, a number of residents said they planned to leave their homes. Following a meeting between the affected families, police and community representatives on Sunday, independent councillor Paul McCusker said most families want to stay, but "no one can guarantee their safety". McCusker said there was a lack of political leadership in the area."There is a lot of frustration felt over the weekend, police said they would commit to a static police presence over the weekend but families felt that wasn't the case."The police attending a meeting on Sunday was very important, he added."For the remaining families, protection is key to keep them safe so there is no further risk to their lives and moving forward we need to look at a long term plan," he said. McCusker explained that many of the families living in the area have been homeless for many years."They have been through a system that has been quite difficult for them and to go back into that system again and be treated this way is causing trauma to the families," he added: "It is 2025 this should not be happening and the families should be getting reassurance politically."PSNI Supt Allister Hagan said: "We are treating what happened in these residential areas not just as criminal damage, but sectarian-motivated hate crime - which is totally unacceptable."This will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with our partners, housing provider, community representatives and local residents in relation to these issues."Police have been "regularly patrolling these areas at varying intervals to deter crime and provide reassurance to the community," Supt Hagan added. "In addition, we have been meeting with residents regularly to listen to their concerns and offer practical support."
BBC News
22-05-2025
- BBC News
North Belfast: Residents 'shouldn't have to leave homes' after sectarian attacks
A north Belfast community has found itself "looking after each other" after a number of homes were damaged in a sectarian-motivated attack, a local resident has said.A group of masked individuals, who are believed to have thrown masonry at the properties, were reported to have entered the Annalee Street and Alloa Street areas at about 21:45 BST on Tuesday, police Giffen-McGarth was sat at the rear of her property, which was undamaged, and said she initially thought it was "kids messing about"."We all came out together, I have to say it was terrifying, I've never experienced anything like that before," she told BBC News NI. "Today, especially with it hitting the news... it makes it very real, just how at risk you are for who you are." Ms Giffen-McGarth has lived in the area for several months and has "absolutely loved" the sense of community."It's something I've always wanted. That's exactly what we've got, all the kids are outside playing, all the neighbours know each other. We're all in sync with each other, it's been lovely."Following the attack, she said fearful residents came together "to try and keep the sanity and keep the nerves down"."Straight away it was as if we were friends for life," she explained. 'Stop. How would you feel?' However, she said there is fear in the community, with residents wondering what will happen next."You don't want to move, you want to be settled in your own home."It has been particularly worrisome for those with young families, she added. "[For young children], it's bound to be terrifying... some of them were in their bedrooms last night when this happened and now some of them don't want to come home to stay with their mummies anymore."To the attackers, Ms Giffen-McGarth has asked: "Why?""Please stop... It's sad, if it were to happen to your own family, how would you feel?" Independent councillor Paul McCusker said the attack "came out of the blue" and was "quite shocking for a lot of residents", particularly for those with young development is "very settled", and residents have been living there since December without incident, according to the councillor."We know that a lot of Catholic families have moved in here," he said."Families don't understand why they were targeted, there was no real warning in terms of graffiti... It's a very worrying situation."Speaking to families today, they just want things to settle down, they want the issue to de-escalate and they don't want to leave their homes, and they shouldn't have to leave their homes." McCusker added all agencies must now work to "identify and understand why these houses were targeted".He said there is a suggestion of further threats in the coming days, which he described as a "worrying situation", but police have assured him they will maintain a presence in the area."Now is time for political leaders to stand up and call this out for what it is and support the residents," he Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) are appealing for information and witnesses."Enquiries are ongoing into the full circumstances and we are treating these incidents as sectarian-motivated hate crimes," Insp Hamilton added.A spokesperson for Clanmil Housing told BBC News NI they "absolutely condemn this incident" and residents' safety and wellbeing "are our priority"."Our team has been on site today doing all they can to support our tenants at this time, and it has been lovely to see how neighbours have also been supporting each other today," they said."We are working with the PSNI and local community and political representatives to ensure this is a safe and welcoming place for everyone and we urge anyone with information on this incident to contact the PSNI."
