There were three petrol attacks within the space of 20 minutes in County Down last night (Tuesday, March 28). The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the attacks are part of an ongoing feud between rival drugs gangs.
The PSNI have now released an appeal for information in regards to the trio of incidents in Bangor and Newtownards. North Down and Ards District Commissioner Johnston McDowell said on the incidents: "Officers received a report shortly before 9:20pm that a house had been petrol bombed in the Ballyferris Walk area of Bangor.
"We then received a second report at 9:30pm of damage being caused to a property in the Glenbrook Road area of Newtownards. It was reported at least two men threw bricks through the front window of the house and poured petrol onto the driveway.
Read more: PSNI statement on 'feud between two rival drug gangs'
"Police then received a third report at approximately 9:40pm of a petrol bomb attack at a block of flats in the Wallace Place area of Newtownards."
McDowell added on the recent issues: "These incidents are linked to an ongoing feud between two rival drug gangs and police are following a number of lines of enquiry. Thankfully no injuries were reported on Tuesday evening.
"We are appealing to anyone who was in these areas at the reported times, and saw anything suspicious, to call police on 101, quoting reference numbers 2128, 2176 and 2156 of 28/03/23."
It comes after a pair of men were arrested following disturbances last night (March 28) in Ards and North Down area. The men, both 30, are due to appear before Newtownards Magistrates Court later this morning (March 29).
READ MORE: Men charged following disturbances in Newtownards
One of them has been charged with arson endangering life with intent, intimidation causing a person to leave a residence or occupation, possessing petrol bombs in suspicious circumstances and throwing a petrol bomb.
This follows the PSNI's appeal on Monday (March 27) for the public to remain vigilant following numerous incidents in the North Down area in the previous days. McDowell said in a statement on Monday that the 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 22 eight houses, many of which were occupied at the time, have been attacked with a pipe bomb, petrol bombs and other implements. 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."
Police have increased patrols in the area following the incidents, but concerns of the impact of the gang war on the North Down, Bangor and Newtownards communities are only intensifying with each day.
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