A West Belfast councillor has said that a burnt out car within the area is not reflective of the local community.
Cllr Caoimhín McCann was speaking to Belfast Live after a car was set alight in the Colinmill area of Poleglass overnight.
Cllr McCann said that car crime has become such an anomaly in the area that the last time he had to contact Belfast City Council to have a burnt out car removed, they were unsure about what to do.
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"This is not reflective of the local community in Poleglass and I would call on those doing it to get off our backs and leave us alone," he said.
"I have been working with agencies to get it removed and it is in no way reflective of the great work that is going on within the area.
"The last time I had to ring Belfast City Council to have a burnt out car removed they didn't know what to do as it hadn't happened in so long in this part of West Belfast.
"It took a wee while to get it removed but I think that is reflective of the work at the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership have done to try and alleviate car crime within the area, getting young people into youth clubs or education programmes and working with the relevant agencies such as the PSNI and the community safety teams.
"There is a complete wrap around within the district. We know that it has worked and that it will continue to work which is why this incident is an anomaly."
A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police received a report of a car on fire within the vicinity of Pembroke Loop Road, Dunmurry shortly after 11pm on Sunday, 30th April.
"Officers attended the scene along with colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished the fire which is being treated as arson. The car which was believed to have been stolen from an address in the Wellesley Avenue area of south Belfast on Saturday, 29th April was completely gutted as a result of the fire.
"Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information or video footage in relation to this report is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 2081 of 30/04/23.
"Alternatively, information can be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime."
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