A west Belfast assemblyman has called on housing bodies to outline their approach to families involved in vandalising properties.

Fra McCann has written to the Housing Executive and Housing Associations to ask what measures are in place to deal with the problem, which he says has left many neighbourhoods suffering from levels of disrepair.

"As agencies who are centrally involved with housing in or neighbourhoods both the Housing Executive and Housing Associations have a duty of care and responsibility to residents who are tortured and terrorised by children," he said.

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Mr McCann said there needs to be a "zero tolerance" to these anti-community activities.

"Those who carry out such activities, or if they are minors, their parents or guardians should be forced to pay the cost of the damage," said the Sinn Fein MLA.

"I have raised with the Minister of Social Development the issue of anti social powers the Housing Executive have to deal with these issues and she assured me that they have enough powers at present to deal with all eventualities."

Mr McCann added: "This behaviour impacts on the quality of life of residents of all ages in our communities and should not be accepted."

(PR/GK)