The chairman of Fermanagh District Council, Alex Baird referred to the 'Fermanagh Herald' front page story last week, relating to incidents at Coleshill housing estate in Enniskillen, at Wednesday's meeting of the District Policing Partnership.
Mr Baird, who is an elected member of the Partnership, queried Chief Inspector Alywin Barton if the attacks were sectarian.
Mr Barton explained the Police were not entirely convinced the attacks were sectarian, and he went on: "But, it must remain as part of our investigation until we have ruled it in or ruled it out".
Two homes in the estate came under siege, with windows smashed and slogans sprayed on both properties carrying the initials 'CFF' (Coleshill Freedom Fighters) and 'UDA'. No one was in either home at the time, but the residents of one of the houses, a young mother, told the 'Herald' last week that she and her son had moved out.
PARAMILITARY
Chief Inspector Barton acknowledged the paramilitary references and how they could be interpreted as 'sectarian'. However, he said he had no intelligence that directly linked anybody in Coleshill to either association which, he suggested, was of some comfort.
"What I would say is there are a lot of issues in the background that are more likely to be at the root of these incidents".
In a strongly-worded response to a letter of complaint at alleged PSNI inaction to late-night drunken and rowdy behaviour by youths in the estate, Chief Inspector Barton reminded parents of their duty to know where their children are and what they were doing.
And, similarly, he did not believe making widespread arrests of those misbehaving was the answer: "This matter is one that will only be resolved long-term by a partnership involving a strong and united residents' association who are prepared to be creative and imaginative in their work. They must be prepared to engage with those they have refused to interact with so far. They must be prepared to take the opportunities and see the long-term objectives as achievable".
Mr Barton submitted significant efforts and resources were committed to the Coleshill area in June and July and this had resulted in a peaceful period in the area and offered a foundation for the local residents' association to build upon and create long-term stability.
But, he added: "This opportunity was not availed of and, once again, those who are in a position to work together for the greater good of their area have failed to act and are now turning once again to others, expecting a resolution".
DISRUPTION
He suggested, 'every time disruption occurs they seek others to solve their problems, in this case and in most others, the Police'.
Councillor Baird supported Mr Barton in his plea to members of the community to report anti-social incidents, provide specific details and, ideally, make statements that could be part of a subsequent prosecution case. "I can understand", Councillor Baird said, "the difficulties members of the public have in standing up and being counted but until that happens, where people are prepared to provide the evidence, the legal system cannot bring it forward".
