Police broke up an “organised” party attended by around 100 teenagers at the weekend during which a number of the youngsters were seen up an electricity pylon.
Police received calls from homes in the Rocky Road in South Belfast following scenes that included “drunk” young people climbing on a pylon and partying on Saturday night.
Local residents have hit out following the gathering, saying the children's parents must have known what their children were doing despite large gatherings currently being illegal under the country's coronavirus legislation.
One woman, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Belfast Live: “From about 5.45pm upwards children started arriving by private car, so their parents were obviously leaving them, and there were taxis as well.
"It was an absolute mess. I collected all the bottles and all the rubbish and stuff.
“The kids were actually climbing on the electric pylon and sitting on the pylon swinging their legs.
“I phoned the police at 6.02pm and the police eventually arrived at 6.45pm. One car came first and they were probably stunned and then three other vehicles came after that.
“The police were fabulous. They tried to move the kids on, they all started to run and try and jump over the fence into the [Cregagh] Glen. Police did try and follow them.”
A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman said: “One youth was spoken to and taken home to his parents and will be referred to the youth diversion officer.
“I would ask young people who choose to engage in anti-social behaviour to think again and understand it is unacceptable.
"People have a right to live in peace and to feel safe in their communities and at a time when we face a global health emergency posed by Covid-19 it is vital everyone adheres to the government’s regulations on social distancing.
“It is important parents are vigilant and speak to their kids about where they are and who they are with.”
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