PSNI OFFICERS INVESTIGATING reports of alleged vigilante behaviour in east Belfast have charged a man to court.

The man, aged 37, has been charged with common assault and theft.

He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on 16th September.

He had been arrested yesterday on suspicion of assault, theft and causing criminal damage.

He has been released on bail to allow for further enquiries in respect of his arrest on suspicion of causing criminal damage.

Footage circulated online last week of groups of men intimidating people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Speaking after the man was arrested yesterday, PSNI District Commander Superintendent Gavin Kirkpatrick remarked that the “activity of these individuals has been generating fear in the community and it has to stop”.

He added: “They are confronting and intimidating innocent members of the public, largely on the basis of the colour of their skin.

“Those involved have neither the legal nor the moral authority to do this. It is the responsibility of the Police Service to enforce the law.”

He said that the PSNI has deployed additional targeted police patrols in east Belfast to “engage, challenge and monitor these groups and provide reassurance to the community”.

Kirkpatrick also urged anyone who has been a victim of these groups to report it to police.

He added: “These groups are not protecting the community from anything.

“In reality these groups are frustrating our efforts to provide a policing service to the people of east Belfast by forcing us to redirect our limited resources to monitoring them.

“I urge everyone involved in this type of activity to stop.”