THE FALLS Residents’ Association says so far it has been “a quieter Christmas in the Divis area” thanks to an increased presence of the PSNI alongside local political representatives in the area during the holiday break.
Speaking to the Andersonstown News, development worker with Cumman Áithritheoirí na bhFál/Falls Residents Association, Chris Turley, said: “Over the Christmas break, in fairness, it has been okay, we are keeping residents up to date on social media with any information we have. So far two cars have been recovered, a blue Corsa in Ross’s Court and another in McQuillan Street which was stolen over in South Belfast. It was stung on the Springfield Road. All in all it’s been quiet with no cars burnt out in the area.
“We were able to retrieve close to £3,500 worth of power tools over the break that had been stolen from a man in the lower Shankill.
“The PSNI have been visible on the ground, but again we face the same old problem of the small minority getting the cars into the area in the first place.”
Chris said that since the introduction of the PSNI’s Operation Galleas police have been showing a good presence in the area.
“It reassures the residents, but there is that bit of apprehension as New Year’s Eve approaches. If the statutory agencies have done what they’ve told us they’ve done then I think we should be okay.
“All in all it’s been a quieter Christmas, there has been and will continue to be a large number of the Falls Residents Association along with Sinn Féin members out on the streets doing what we can. The PSNI have a massive job to do here but they are not on their own, there is an onus on all agencies to deliver for the people.”
