By Lisa Ramsden
Trouble erupted in Annalong over the weekend, culminating in a car being set alight just metres from the village’s community centre. The incidents have been condemned by police and local councillors.
Councillor Glyn Hanna said arsonists had set the car on fire after driving it “extremely dangerously,” adding that the blaze could easily have destroyed the community centre. Councillor Jill Truesdale urged anyone with information about this or other antisocial behaviour in the village to contact the police so they can “build the bigger picture.”
The incidents reportedly began late on Saturday and concluded in the early hours of Sunday morning. Both councillors stressed that it was fortunate no one was injured during these reckless actions.
Cllr Hanna condemned the dangerous behaviour residents witnessed and heard, saying villagers have been “left frightened” by the events. He noted that the burning vehicle was abandoned “just metres” from the community centre and called it a miracle that the flames did not spread to the well-used facility.
Having raised the matter with the PSNI, Mr Hanna urged anyone with information about “this reckless behaviour” to report it to police urgently. He also called for increased patrols in the area.
“I condemn the dangerous behaviour of whoever burnt this vehicle within metres of Annalong Community Centre, which easily could have set the building on fire,” said Mr Hanna. “I have also been in contact with PSNI, who are investigating this crime and the antisocial behaviour before the car was set on fire.”
Cllr Hanna added that residents had reported seeing the car being driven “extremely dangerously” prior to being set alight. “Whoever was driving the car extremely dangerously, making a lot of noise, needs caught and the law can deal with this person,” he said. “There has been damage to garden walls, and this behaviour has frightened people living at the entrance to the Marine Park in Annalong. This reckless behaviour needs to stop, and if anyone knows anything, please report to the PSNI by calling 101, contact Crimestoppers, or get in touch with me and I will pass the information to police.”
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