SDLP Assembly member Mr Seán Farren and his party colleague Councillor Mr Declan O’Loan, today accused Sinn Féin of promoting vigilantism in a circular delivered to homes in the Cargan area of Co Antrim.
The two SDLP men said they were "deeply concerned" by the circular, which invited people to contact Sinn Féin on matters of ‘anti-social’ behaviour.
"Anti-social behaviour must be dealt with by the proper statutory authorities and we do not believe that the majority of people in the Glens wish to have such problems dealt with by any other sources," they said in a joint statement.
They added that neither Sinn Féin nor any other political party have the authority or the means of addressing such problems.
"Attempts by political parties to assume such authority are divisive and will only exacerbate the problems and will not guarantee that individuals’ civil rights will be upheld," they said.
The SDLP statement concluded by saying that the "very real concerns" of Cargan residents "can find proper expression through local community organisations and can be dealt with much more effectively and justly by the properly established authorities, the police, the courts and the social services".
