The sight of 100 teenagers gathering for an “organised” party on a pylon has sparked outrage.
The teens were pictured sitting shoulder-to-shoulder on the structure in South Belfast at the weekend, despite restrictions on gatherings.
Police received calls from homes nearby on Saturday night, following scenes that included “drunk” young people climbing on a pylon to party on it.
One woman, who asked to remain anonymous, told Belfast Live: “From about 5.45pm upwards children started arriving by private car, so their parents were obviously leaving them, and there were taxis as well.
"It was an absolute mess. I collected all the bottles and all the rubbish and stuff.
“The kids were actually climbing on the electric pylon and sitting on the pylon swinging their legs.
“I phoned the police at 6.02pm and the police eventually arrived at 6.45pm. One car came first and they were probably stunned and then three other vehicles came after that.
“The police were fabulous. They tried to move the kids on, they all started to run and try and jump over the fence into the [Cregagh] Glen. Police did try and follow them.”
A PSNI spokesman said: “One youth was spoken to and taken home to his parents and will be referred to the youth diversion officer.
“I would ask young people who choose to engage in anti-social behaviour to think again and understand it is unacceptable. People have a right to live in peace and to feel safe in their communities and at a time when we face a global health emergency posed by Covid-19 it is vital everyone adheres to the government’s regulations on social distancing.
“It is important parents are vigilant and speak to their kids about where they are and who they are with.”
Gatherings in Northern Ireland are limited to 15 people indoors or outdoors, as long as the group is not in a private dwelling under coronavirus restrictions.
First Minister Arlene Foster brought in a new 11pm curfew for pubs, bars and restaurants on Tuesday.
