South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Maskey appeals to parents of students in advance of PSNI meeting

Published: 26 September, 2009

South Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey has appealed to parents of students staying in the Holylands area to ensure that they take an interest in what their children are doing while they are in Belfast and has also said that he will be seeking a meeting with the PSNI to discuss what plans they have for tackling anti-social behaviour in the Holylands area.


Alex Maskey MLA said,

"Last week marked the beginning or the University term and, for many long-term residents in the Holylands area, the start of another nightmare year.


"Already we have seen serious levels of anti-social behaviour being carried out by a minority of students living in the Holylands area and residents, council officials and members of the PSNI have told me that a minority of students are displaying a more worryingly aggressive attitude.


"I, like most people, am heartened that so many young people are choosing to attend university and I understand that they must live somewhere. However, the type of behaviour that has been witnesses in this past week, the nightly torture of long-term residents in this area, must stop. I would appeal to parents to take an active interest in what their children are doing while they are attending university in Belfast, even to visit the area themselves at night time and see for themselves what is going on."


He concluded,

"While we await a long-term solution it is essential that the ongoing problems are dealt with, and parents have a role to play in this. There is also an onus on a number of other stakeholders to work together to tackle this problem. I will be meeting a number of these groups and I have requested a meeting with senior PSNI officers in South Belfast to discuss what plans they have for dealing with the problems so evident each night in this area."

CRÍOCH