Police issue fixed penalty notices following "Covid" parties in the Holylands area of south Belfast

By Q Radio news

Police  have issued ten community resolution notices and eight fixed penalty notices after responding to a number of residential parties in the Holyland area of south Belfast early this morning.

Chief Inspector Gavin Kirkpatrick said, "Some young people who have moved to the area to pursue their studies and others visiting the area are not listening to our repeated warnings.

“Alongside the universities and colleges, we have issued multiple appeals for young people to follow the latest health and safety advice and highlighted the importance of being good neighbours.

Last night, we gave advice and guidance at a number of residential properties. 

However, 18 of those people we spoke with failed to understand the seriousness of the situation. 

Police have issued ten community resolution notices and eight fixed penalty notices after responding to a number of residential parties in the Holyland area of south Belfast early this morning. At one address, officers found a group of people hiding in a small bathroom. pic.twitter.com/MTbCYGV4IB

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) September 10, 2020

At one address, we discovered a group of people hiding in a small bathroom. 

Some received community resolution notices, while the behaviour of others resulted in fixed penalty notices. 

This follows a series of arrests for a range of offences in the area over recent days.

Where appropriate, we now will liaise with the universities and colleges who will consider their own sanctions against any students involved.

Our message is very clear; All students must follow the health and safety advice and specific guidance regarding houses of multiple occupancy provided by the universities: Only six people, from a maximum of two different households, can gather indoors in a private dwelling.

Students living off campus must also be mindful of the importance of building good relationships with local residents. 

They must be respectful of their neighbours who do not want to kept awake all night with parties and do not want to have their property damaged.

Unfortunately residents have been through it all before. What might seem like fun at the time, can often cause others a great deal of upset and distress.

We continue to work with the universities, further education colleges, our partner agencies, local resident and community representatives to address any antisocial or criminal behaviour in the area.

We have dedicated substantial resources to policing this area throughout the coming weeks and will robustly address any antisocial behaviour and criminal offences.