Some families 'feel unsafe' after group puts up flags on lampposts

Some families in a new mixed-use social housing development in Lisburn have said they feel intimidated after a group of men placed flags on lampposts.

The group was wearing dark clothes and hoods and was seen erecting the Union flags on Saturday evening in Altona Drive and Altona Gardens.

One man said he was told if anyone removed the flags, "their house will be burnt".

Police said they would engage with "local community representatives and partner agencies around any complaints about flags".

It comes just weeks after some residents were sent leaflets claiming to be from a loyalist paramilitary organisation.

Video footage, seen by BBC News NI, appears to show four men with a ladder erecting flags in the area.

Conor Batchelor said he confronted the men about the displays on lampposts.

"They said anyone that touches the flags, their house will be burnt. So now we're living in fear," he said.

The 30-year-old, whose former partner and their two children live in the area, said they want to live in "peace and harmony with other religions, other cultures".

He said it should be a "friendly and welcoming" environment.

"We're just really disheartened with it all," he added.

Mr Batchelor described the new housing development as a "mixed area".

He said some people may be supportive of the flags, but they should be placed "on their property".

"Not on public lamp-posts or outside people's houses that don't want the flags," he added.

The £16m mixed-use development was launched last year.

Carol Carey, who lives in the area with her four children, said she no longer feels safe.

"I did feel sick to my stomach. I don't want this for my kids," she added.

She said she was told by police "there is nothing we can do" because they are not paramilitary flags.

"The people on this street are already afraid because they have had the letters," she added.

Last month, some residents received leaflets through the letterboxes of their homes claiming to be from a loyalist paramilitary organisation.

The leaflets had a UFF (Ulster Freedom Fighters) emblem and text which warned that "anyone caught removing loyalist flags from lampposts will be dealt with".

They also read: "This is loyalist Lisburn, not republican west Belfast."

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said officers in Lisburn were aware of the leaflets and they were still being investigated.

A PSNI spokeswoman added: "Police received a report on Saturday 19 April about flags that had been erected in the area of Altona Drive, Lisburn.

"Every case reported to police will be considered on an individual basis and, where offences have been committed they will be dealt with.

"Officers continue to engage with local community representatives and partner agencies around any complaints about flags."

David Honeyford, and Alliance Party MLA for Lagan Valley described the incidents as "repugnant".

"Our community belongs to everyone," he said, adding that he had been in contact with the PSNI and would "continue engaging with authorities to ensure those responsible are dealt with urgently".