A former mayor of Ards and North Down has called for the reopening of Bangor's PSNI custody suite and enhanced powers to address anti-social behaviour, particularly during summer months. Alistair Cathcart, a councillor for Bangor Central, presented a motion to the council requesting that Justice Minister Naomi Long introduce measures to deal with underage drinking and the dispersal of youth crowds.

Cathcart said that local police are insufficient in number to manage the seasonal rise in incidents across the borough, with hotspots in Bangor and Helen's Bay. He proposed that council officials receive expanded authority to help curb anti-social behaviour, along with an expansion of the CCTV network.

The motion also opposed raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14. Cathcart referenced an assault in March on K9 Search and Rescue handler Ryan Gray and his dog Max by four teenagers aged 13 to 16. He said that under the proposed change, one of the attackers would have avoided justice.

Cathcart said that local officers sometimes have to travel to Craigavon or Londonderry to process arrests because nearby custody facilities are full. This removes officers from their shifts for extended periods. He said police officers themselves have told him reopening Bangor custody suite is necessary for efficient work.

He added that the justice minister has acknowledged the need for action but said nothing can be done until the next Northern Ireland Assembly mandate. Meanwhile, Cathcart said, the borough is dealing with the consequences now.