Man arrested over alleged vigilante behaviour in east Belfast

The 37-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of assault, theft and causing criminal damage

A man has been arrested following investigations into alleged vigilante behaviour, police have said.

The 37-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of assault, theft and causing criminal damage.

Footage circulating on social media last week showed groups of men stopping and intimidating people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Over the past week, police said they had additional targeted police patrols in east Belfast to "engage, challenge and monitor these groups and provide reassurance to the community".

Supt Gavin Kirkpatrick said: "The activity of these individuals has been generating fear in the community and it has to stop.

"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."

Supt Kirkpatrick said "these groups are not protecting the community from anything".

He added that they were "frustrating" the policing service as they are forcing resources to be redirected.

Belfast councillor Séamas de Fáoite welcomed the arrest

Social Democratic and Labour Party councillor Séamas de Fáoite welcomed the arrest.

Earlier he had called for the police to take a "pro-active approach".