THREE MEN ARRESTED AFTER VIOLENT DISORDER IN WEST BELFAST

Police arrested three men following violent disorder in west Belfast on Saturday evening, during which a police officer was injured and 11 PSNI vehicles were damaged. The disorder occurred in the Stewartstown Road and Falls Road area, where youths threw masonry at officers and set bins and cars alight. Crowds numbering up to 100 people gathered during the incident, with 10 Land Rovers and a police car sustaining damage. Chief Inspector Kelly Gibson condemned the violence and stated that those responsible would be tracked down.

The disorder emerged as the PSNI conducted an operation targeting dangerous riding by scrambler bikes and e-bikes in the area. Officers observed large numbers of young people travelling at speed on such vehicles, with riders partially covering their faces, not wearing helmets, and driving without regard for their own safety or that of others. Bins and loading cages were placed across Stewartstown Road at its junction with Bell Steel Road before some were set alight, forcing the road to close temporarily. Police used stingers on a number of vehicles and seized a scrambler bike during the operation.

One man was arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour, whilst a 27-year-old was arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour and common law riot. A third man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of assault and disorderly behaviour following a serious assault involving iron bars that left another man in hospital. Police said further arrests are expected as officers review evidence gathered during the disorder.