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Up to 50 a week assaulted in city Up to 50 a week assaulted in city
(about 3 hours later)
There were more than 2,500 assaults in south Belfast over the past year, the BBC has learned. There have been more than 2,500 assaults in south Belfast over the past year, the BBC has learned.
Figures released by the PSNI revealed there were an average of 48 assaults a week. Figures released by the PSNI revealed an average of 48 assaults a week. Last December, 290 people were assaulted - the highest monthly figure.
The highest monthly figure was for December last year, when 290 people were assaulted in the south of the city. District Policing Partnership member Pat McCarthy said it was worrying.
District Policing Partnership member Pat McCarthy said it was a worrying trend. However, the PSNI said there had been a drop of 8.2% in the number of assaults up to the end of October - equivalent to 250 fewer victims.
The 2,545 assaults recorded by police over the past 12 months includes wounding with intent, grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm.
Mr McCarthy, a former SDLP Belfast lord mayor, said the high level of assaults was partly due to the number of bars in the area.Mr McCarthy, a former SDLP Belfast lord mayor, said the high level of assaults was partly due to the number of bars in the area.
"South Belfast covers the city centre, which has the biggest concentration of entertainment spots in the city and this all contributes to the high number of assaults," he said."South Belfast covers the city centre, which has the biggest concentration of entertainment spots in the city and this all contributes to the high number of assaults," he said.
AlcoholAlcohol
"There should be more CCTV to pick up these incidents and bring prosecutions."There should be more CCTV to pick up these incidents and bring prosecutions.
"As lord mayor, I lobbied hard for more CCTV in the city centre and I think that would be a big step forward in catching offenders.""As lord mayor, I lobbied hard for more CCTV in the city centre and I think that would be a big step forward in catching offenders."
The 2,545 assaults recorded by police over the past 12 months includes wounding with intent, grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm.
Mr McCarthy, chair of the DPP's South Belfast sub-group, said alcohol played a major part in many assaults.Mr McCarthy, chair of the DPP's South Belfast sub-group, said alcohol played a major part in many assaults.
"If you are a parent with a son or a daughter going out for the night, it is very worrying," he said.
"You can be glassed or hit over the head for no reason at all - just for looking at someone the wrong way.""You can be glassed or hit over the head for no reason at all - just for looking at someone the wrong way."
A spokesman for the PSNI said: "Violent crime at any level is unacceptable.
"Our officers are working hard in partnership with other groups, day and daily, to prevent this type of offence occurring and to ensure the city centre is safe for people to go about their business."
He pointed out that overall violent crime had dropped 13.5%.
He said the drop of 8.2% in assaults meant a saving of £625,000 to the public purse.
"The majority of assaults in south Belfast are of a minor nature, at least half occur during nightlife hours and that the statistics cover over an area which includes around 300 licensed premises," he said.
"Around 30,000 people use the south Belfast area during a weekend, an increase of approximately 10% over the previous year. Our levels of assaults, in light of this, are some of the lowest for any European city."