CCTV plan to stop east Belfast rioting

The Government is poised to announce plans to erect close circuit television cameras along the peace line in East Belfast in a bid to stop sectarian rioting, it emerged tonight.

Sources told PA News that Northern Ireland Security Minister Jane Kennedy would tomorrow announce plans to erect the cameras in the sectarian flashpoint area of Short Strand on either side of the wall dividing loyalist and nationalist residents.

The Short Strand area has witnessed some of the worst rioting in recent months in Belfast, with petrol bombs, pipe bombs, stones, bottles and other missiles hurled from either side of the peace line into the nationalist Clandeboye Drive and loyalist Cluan Place.

Several people on either side of the divide have been wounded in the disturbances over the summer and many houses were damaged or abandoned.

The decision to erect CCTV cameras will be welcomed by unionists who have been pressing for their introduction.

Republicans have been reluctant to have the CCTV cameras erected.

Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble has also called for the camera. He faces a challenge from hardliners to his policy of power sharing with Sinn Fein at a crucial meeting of his party’s ruling council on September 21.

The Government source said tonight: “We will be looking at the introduction of CCTV cameras in the area following the erection of them to deal with street disorder in North Belfast.

“The Government hopes that the cameras will help them identify who is responsible for initiating street disturbances.”

Assistant Chief Constable for Belfast Alan McQuillan recently identified the IRA and loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force as the two paramilitary groups fuelling tensions in the area but later told the province’s Policing Board that loyalists were responsible for initiating much of the violence.

“There will be an examination of how many cameras will be needed and where are the best places to erect them.”

Ulster Unionist Economy Minister Sir Reg said: “If this turns out to be certain, then I welcome this announcement from the Government.”

“The installation of CCTV cameras in East Belfast is something I have been calling the Government to act upon for some time and it is a measure which I believe will bring some stability to the area.

“I also call on republicans to welcome this move – they should have nothing to be scared of with respect to CCTV.”