Police presence upped in North Down and Ards because of loyalist drug feud

The police presence is being upped in North Down and Newtownards because of an ongoing feud between two UDA drug gangs.

Eight houses have been attacked over the past week - some with pipe or petrol bombs - and there has also been two attempted hijackings.

The PSNI’s asking the public to “remain vigilant”.

North Down and Ards District Commander Johnston McDowell said, “Police are investigating a linked series of incidents, including criminal damage and arson with intent to endanger life. These incidents are linked to an ongoing feud between two rival drug gangs operating under the banner of the Ulster Defence Association in the North Down and Ards areas."

“Since March 22nd eight houses, many of which were occupied at the time, have been attacked with a pipe bomb, petrol bombs and other implements. During this period there has also been two attempted hi-jackings and incidents of graffiti daubed on properties.”

“All of these attacks are unacceptable but petrol and pipe bomb attacks are particularly reckless given their potential to cause serious damage to properties, injuries and death to anyone in the vicinity. The people behind these attacks have shown a total disregard for the safety of the community.”

“This activity will not be tolerated and I want to reassure people living in North Down and Ards that we have already increased our policing presence across the area so they can expect to see heightened police activity.”

Over the weekend, a pipe bomb was thrown at a house in the Bowtown Road area of Newtownards on Saturday and two petrol bombs were thrown at a house in the Moyne Gardens area on Sunday.

Speaking about the incident in the Bowtown Road area, Detective Sergeant Bell said “At around 9:35pm, it was reported that a pipe bomb had been thrown at a property in the area. It was reported that a front window and a wall at the property were damaged during the incident. The property was occupied at the time, but there were no reports of any injuries.”

Detective Sergeant Bell also described a petrol bomb incident in the Moyne Gardens area on Sunday. He said, “Shortly after 10pm, it was reported that a brick was thrown through a front window of a property in the area. It was then reported that two petrol bombs were thrown into the property, which caused fire damage to the window ledge, roof and floor during the incident. One man in his 60s was injured during the incident.”

“Damage was also caused to a car that was parked outside the property, with bricks thrown through an upstairs window and a kitchen window during the incident.”

In an update this morning (Tues) police said three arrests have now been made.

A PSNI statement said, "Two arrests were made under the Terrorism Act. A 29-year-old man was arrested in Newtownards and a 53-year-old man was arrested in Hillsborough."

"A 30-year-old man was also arrested in Newtownards on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and possession of a Class B controlled drug."

"A number of searches were conducted in the Newtownards area as part of the ongoing operation. A number of items were removed for further examination."

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