SHOCKING mobile phone footage of a stolen car being driven dangerously in a West Belfast street before crashing into traffic lights has been posted on You Tube.
Upwards of 40 youths are filmed drinking and watching the Green Honda Civic being driven at speed along Beechmount Avenue late on Saturday night. The car, which police confirmed was stolen from the Windsor Road area of South Belfast earlier that evening, is seen narrowly missing homes on the street before crashing into traffic lights that were installed just month ago to serve local elderly people. The car was then set alight.
Local residents’ group the Beechmount Residents’ Collective condemned the incident, which was reminiscent of the bad old days of the ‘joyriders’.
“Forty-plus youths were gathered in Beechmount Avenue and the surrounding area for over three hours before the car came into the community,” said the spokesperson. “The youths were drinking alcohol and could be seen and heard by many residents shouting, antagonising, throwing bottles and other projectiles. Residents of the area have approached the Beechmount Residents’ Collective and have stressed their concern about the ongoing situation in the community. The PSNI were nowhere to be seen around the area on Saturday night, which appears to be, might I add, quite frequently the case.”
Police want anyone with information on the incident to come forward.
