Police said more than 100 young people were involved in setting fire to a kids' playpark in North Belfast on Saturday night.
Officers released footage of a fire as they reported that swings were damaged, plant pots smashed up and a refuse burnt out at Glencairn Park.
A PSNI spokesman said: “We took the usual verbal abuse and the volley of bricks and bottles. Much as the young people got very excited about that, they certainly aren’t the first to try that and it really is a bit pathetic.
“But when challenged they ran off across the grounds of Fernhill House and weren’t just so brave as to stand and justify what they were doing.
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“But here’s the thing - what sort of young folk think it’s a good idea to wreck the brand new playpark that some of their little brothers or sisters, or little cousins would like to use?
“Because it will take plenty of time and money to fix and will have to be closed. I just don’t get it.
"So if any of the young people causing the damage want to try and justify it, then I would ask them to come and explain it to us and the wider community.
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“And for the majority who were there but maybe weren’t directly involved in any damage, they need to really think about what they are at and who they are associated with.
"Everyone has choices to make, and they are not currently making good ones. And finally, as discussed previously, what are all the adults responsible for these young people doing about it?”
DUP candidate for Court, Nicola Verner, called for an end to the anti-social behaviour.
She told Belfast Live: “I don’t want to demonise all young people - this is a small minority wrecking our community. It needs to end.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to deal with this; parents, police and the community.”
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