Residents concerned about anti-social behaviour in Carrick

The residents were furious that the youths were “being allowed to cause wreck and ruin,” at homes in the nearby O’Rourkes Row area of the town.

There were claims that children as young as 12 were “hanging around” in derelict buildings in O’Rourkes Row drinking, playing loud music and shouting.

Only a few houses in the area remained inhabited at the time, and residents claimed that the youths were “wrecking what was left” of the derelict buildings.

One resident who did not wish to be named said that the youths aged between 12 and 17 were causing a nuisance in the area.

The police had been called to the area a number of times, but the youths still came to congregate there.

The Royal Ulster Constabulary said that patrols would continue in the area in the hope of deterring more anti-social behaviour.

“Whilst there are no specific current complaints about the area, the matter is receiving attention in the course of normal RUC patrolling,” a spokesperson said at the time.