SDLP councillor calls for action to combat ‘vandalism’ of bilingual street signs

An SDLP councillor has called for action to combat “a cycle of vandalism” targeting bilingual street signs in Belfast.

Elected representative Gary McKeown says proactive steps are needed to tackle the spate of attacks on signage in the city.

It follows the latest destruction of two signs in the Ballynafeigh area.

"We seem to have entered a cycle of vandalism and replacement of bilingual signs in particular locations,” Mr McKeown said.

"While it’s really important that these signs are reinstalled when they are destroyed, proactive steps now need to be taken to try to prevent these hate crimes from happening again and to identify those responsible.

"The further destruction of bilingual signs just off the Ormeau Road is completely unacceptable.

“These are something which the community wants and which reflect the diversity of this area, so those responsible are just demonstrating their own intolerance.”

Police are investigating reports of a bilingual sign being damaged in south Belfast on St Patrick’s Day.

A photograph of the sign on St Jude’s Square appears to show a section broken off.

It’s understood the damage occurred on Sunday morning.

Last month police revealed they were investigating multiple incidents of damage being caused to a bilingual sign on nearby Haypark Avenue.

Mr McKeown said signs should be left alone once installed as the criteria for approving them has been met.

"As it happens, in the case of these particular signs, there was actually an exceptionally high level of community support for their installation,” he added.

"The Haypark Avenue sign which has been attacked repeatedly was supported by over 88% of residents who responded to the council’s community survey on the matter, and for the sign at St Jude’s Square, which has been destroyed for the first time, the figure was 100%.

"I will be calling for a meeting with the police and council officers to find out what can be done to deter those responsible from doing it again.

"Aside from the fact that these acts of vandalism are wrong and against the law, it is also costing the ratepayer additional money every time they have to be replaced.

“We will always make sure that they are replaced, but I would prefer that they weren’t attacked in the first place.”