DUP MLA William Humphrey led a delegation to meet a police chief over sectarian trouble in north Belfast

A DUP delegation has met with a senior PSNI chief on Tuesday over recent sectarian attacks on north Belfast interface residents.

The delegation was led by William Humphrey LA a meeting with PSNI Area Commander Andrew Freeburn at Tennent Street station.

The meeting was called to discuss DUP concerrns about sectarian harassment and attacks by republicans on the Lower Oldpark community.

Included in the delegation were DUP colleague Councillor Brian Kingston, lower Oldpark resident Joe Keenan and Janice Beggs from Lower Oldpark Community Association.

Following the talks, Alderman Humphrey said: “This was a robust meeting.

“Since the 12th July, residents living close to the interface on lower Oldpark Road have had bottles and golf balls thrown at their houses by republicans virtually on a nightly basis.

“Last weekend a Protestant male was attacked by republicans on the Oldpark Road as he made his way home late at night.

“Then last night, Monday, July 29, there was a significant and deliberate act of intimidation.

“A crowd of around 30 republican males came down Oldpark Road from Rosapenna at around 7.30pm, brandishing rocks and sticks and going as far as Lower Oldpark library.

“They shouted pro-IRA slogans and sectarian abuse.

“They shouted threats at a resident who came out saying that they would burn him out and calling him an “Orange B_____d”.

“The PSNI responded quickly to a 999 call and the republican mob withdrew.

“This was a frightening and intimidating experience for residents.

“There is widespread concern that some republicans are deliberately increasing tensions at interface areas in North and West Belfast.

PSNI Chief Inspector Andy Freeburn met a DUP delegation over trouble in lower Oldpark

“At our meeting with the PSNI we passed on information given to us relating to threats and attacks against the Lower Oldpark community.

“We asked the police to increase their resources in the area, to provide protection and reassurance for residents, and to review footage from the CCTV interface camera on Oldpark Road.”

Mr Humphrey also called for political and community support to stamp down on the sectarian trouble.

“We also call on nationalist politicians, community workers and interface workers to be pro-active in preventing these hate crimes from occurring.

“They must not ignore the fact that these attacks are happening and must do all within their power to bring them to an end,” he added.