Children arrested after arson attack
Thursday, 27 November 2008
THREE children aged just 11 years old and another one of just 13 years old have been arrested after a Sunday afternoon arson attack on a derelict house on the Knock Road in Ballymoney.
The children caused criminal damage after they deliberately set fire to a bundle of rubbish inside the house. All four were found convenient to the scene on Sunday November 23 and were 'street bailed' soon after their arrest.
Two of the boys are due to appear at Coleraine police station on December 2, whilst the remaining two will appear the following day, December 3.
A PSNI spokesperson said: "I would like to point out the potential danger there was here in the burning of a derelict building. The consequences could have been disastrous. I would appeal to all young people not to get involved in this type of behaviour.
“I would also ask parents to be aware of where their children are at all times, try to get to know what they are doing. I would also ask owners who may have unused, derelict buildings to make sure they are properly secured to prevent youngsters, or indeed anyone, getting in."
A spokesperson for the NI Fire Service confirmed there had been one fire appliance sent to Knock Road at 3.45pm on Sunday November 23. She said: "One fire appliance from Ballymoney station was released to the scene on Sunday afternoon. When the appliance got there it was discovered that rubbish had been set on fire close to the Elim Church. It is being treated as deliberate arson."
Sinn Fein Cllr Anita Cavlan, Chairperson of Ballymoney DPP added: "I think in cases like this it is right for PSNI to step in and arrest these children, let there be no doubt that that's what they are. We are always calling on PSNI to step in and put a stop to antisocial behaviour in all areas, so in that respect they are doing what's asked of them.
“In all cases it is up to parents to make sure their children's behaviour doesn't go unchecked. It is a good job that police and a fire appliance were called to the scene or the damage could have been greater.
“I know no parent wants to think their child will be out vandalising property, but we all have to realise that the potential is there in all children if left unchecked.
“The mistake that's made sometimes is a softly approach, where parents make excuses for their children. As a mother of five boys myself I learned the hard way. I ended up taking out glass insurance as I knew I would need it, and I did, twice.
“As parents we should try not to make excuses for our children and use incidents like this as a wake up call. I would hope being arrested would be enough of a lesson to the children concerned and their parents. I know that I held my children fully responsible for their own actions and that meant as they grew up they knew I wasn't going to take their part all the time."
Ballymoney Mayor Mr John Finlay expressed his disappointment at the incident. He said: "I am very disappointed that these four children of 11 and 13 have been arrested for criminal damage. I would appeal to all parents to know where their children are at all times and know what they're doing. Obviously 11-year-olds shouldn't be left to roam the streets freely, as this incident has proved."
This anti-social behaviour is still continuing in spite of the number of initiatives which have been put in place in Ballymoney town. Cheers Youth Centre was founded in 1991 with the aim of doing something positive in response to the large numbers of young people gathering in Ballymoney and becoming involved in anti-social behaviour.
