Community tackles interface riots

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6769811.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Politicians, church and community leaders in north Belfast are to launch a campaign to highlight the dangers of interface violence.

Some 20,000 leaflets and posters will be distributed to stress the consequences of summer rioting.

It is being run by the North Belfast Interface Monitoring Group.

Project co-ordinator Rab McCallum said it was of concern that 11 and 12-year-olds were "routinely engaged" in interface violence.

He said: "People living on interfaces live in constant stress over the summer months.

"Many living at interfaces are prisoners in their own home.

"Irresponsible and reckless actions by young people or those consumed with alcohol often compounds the misery that residents must live with over the summer months."

Peace hopes

Michael Atcheson, who is also taking part in the project, said: "The consequences of interface violence are seldom understood by young people who see this pursuit as fun.

"The poster initiative will raise awareness among young people that rioting at interfaces could damage their future prospects of employment and travel while also rewarding them with a criminal record or custodial sentence."

He said the poster launch would also aim to generate dialogue among communities around the role and responsibility of children, parents, church leaders, politicians and teachers to ensure that this summer passes off peacefully.

The posters will be displayed in all cabs run by the West Belfast Taxi Association and Shankill Road Black Taxi Association.

This programme is supported by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Department of Social Development.