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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Damien Edgar

South Belfast stabbing incidents worrying community, says Councillor

A local Councillor wants an urgent meeting with the PSNI following a spate of stabbings in South Belfast in the past week.

While no link has been made between the incidents, the SDLP's Gary McKeown said it had caused concerns among residents in the areas affected.

"People have expressed grave concern at the number of reported stabbings that have taken place in the area over the past week, fearful for their own safety," he said.

Read more: Police at the scene of stabbing at Botanic Gardens

Last Monday, an 18-year-old man was stabbed in each thigh and in the groin area in Botanic Gardens.

Two days later, two police officers were stabbed in an incident on the Ormeau Road.

And on Sunday, a man in his 30s was found on Raphael Street in Belfast, having been stabbed several times, with wounds to his hands, neck and nose.

"I've had residents contact me who are genuinely shocked and worried about what has happened," said Councillor McKeown.

"While there's no evidence to suggest any link, this will provide little comfort to a community which has seen three incidents involving a blade within a one-mile radius of Ormeau Bridge within just a few days.

"The fact that these have taken place in largely residential areas is of particular concern, and it's only through sheer luck that we haven't had any fatalities.

"As Chair of the South Belfast Policing and Community Safety Partnership and a councillor for the area, I have been in regular contact with the police over the past number of days, but will be requesting a more formal meeting to get briefed on what their assessment of the situation is, and the steps that are being taken to deal with it."

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