A recent catalogue of events in Tandragee which culminated in the assault of a teenager has been heavily condemned.
The 18-year-old was allegedly hit by a car and then set upon by a number of men who beat him up.
And now William Irwin MLA is due to meet senior police to discuss an escalation in attacks on property and individuals in Tandragee.
Commenting on what he described as an “escalating situation” Mr Irwin said: “I have watched over the past number of weeks a situation which has now got out of control.
“Last night a member of the public was struck by a vehicle and then set upon and I understand the victim sustained serious injuries to their legs,” he said.
William Irwin MLA outside Tandragee Police station
“The town has seen many incidences of graffiti being sprayed throughout the town with specific references to individual Police officers and very direct comments about other members of the community. We have had windows in local shops broken and a break-in and ransack of a local chip shop.”
He added: “The town’s recreation centre was also sprayed with offensive graffiti which cost the Council £1,000 to remove and there are growing concerns that drug dealing is taking place at a number of locations in the town.
“In meetings I had with Police several months ago I warned of the consequences of scaling back neighbourhood Policing in places like Tandragee given the superb work carried out by the local NPT Sergeant and others over the last number of years.
“The events of the last few weeks emphasise the need for a sustained local neighbourhood unit working from the local station in Tandragee.
“I feel the situation in Tandragee is getting out of control and I have requested an urgent meeting with senior Police as I feel much greater resources are required over a sustained period to try and get on top of this escalating situation.
“The activities of undesirables over the past few months is unacceptable and it must end now. I would ask for everyone to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately to the PSNI.”
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