A PUBLIC meeting has been called in Ballinamallard after fears and concerns about ongoing anti-social behaviour came to a head last Wednesday when police were called to the scene of a disturbance in the middle of the village.
According to a spokesperson for the PSNI, shortly before 6pm on Wednesday, March 7, police received a report of a male acting suspiciously in the Main Street area of Ballinamallard.
The Impartial Reporter understands that a knife was involved in the incident.
“Officers attended and a short time later a 29 year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, criminal damage, disorderly behaviour, resisting police and assault on police,” said the PSNI spokesperson, “The man has since been released on bail and enquiries are continuing.”
According to Erne North DUP councillor, Raymond Farrell, last week’s incident is the latest in a long line of issues that the people of the area have had to endure in recent months.
He says the anti-social behaviour has left many people feeling intimidated and fearful.
One business owner, who did not wish to be named for fear of “the come back”, said the people of Ballinamallard were all of the same view: ‘Enough is enough’.
“I certainly think there needs to be something done. We had customers who drove away [during last Wednesday’s incident] and we had to lock up for a while. And later on, when customers were leaving, another individual made very serious threats towards one of them.”
Mr. Farrell says he understands last Wednesday’s disturbance stemmed from an altercation between two individuals living in landlord accommodation in the area.
“One of the individuals ran through the village causing alarm and anxiety,” he said, “This happened in the evening, with people coming off school buses and people coming home from work.
“I have had a number of discussions with police on the matter as well as the Housing Executive as this is becoming an increasing problem.
“A number of constituents have expressed anxiety to me about this. One woman told me that her child was afraid to go to school the next day.
“We are not dealing with a one-off here. There has been a series of incidents in Ballinamallard. The village has always been known as a tranquil place, an area where people enjoyed neighbourliness and community spirit.”
Mr. Farrell has organised the public meeting next Tuesday evening to allow all those concerned to have their voices heard.
“Hopefully it will be an opportunity for people to hear what is being done to deal with this anti-social behaviour in terms of policing, and what the public can do to support police in making this a safer place,” said the councillor.
“I have met with the police and have been sharing not only my own concerns but the concerns of others in the area and I know the police are actively trying to support and monitor activities as best they can.”
The meeting has been scheduled to begin at 7.30pm in Ballinamallard Football Club.