The PSNI has announced its decision not to provide direct assistance to Belfast City Council for the removal of material from a contentious bonfire site in south Belfast.

The move follows an extensive review of the associated risks and balancing various statutory and human rights obligations. The decision by the Police Service came after a formal request for assistance from Belfast City Council. This prompted a multi-agency Tactical Coordination Group meeting, chaired by the PSNI on Wednesday evening. Representatives from key bodies including the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland Electricity, and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service joined Belfast City Council to gain a shared understanding of the specific dangers posed by the bonfire and the Council's proposed intervention.

During this detailed discussion, partners thoroughly considered environmental hazards, particularly the presence of asbestos on the site. Risks related to a nearby electricity sub-station were also assessed, alongside critical concerns for public safety, given that members of the public, including children, were present at the site.

A consensus emerged from the multi-agency meeting that the risks associated with the bonfire proceeding as planned were deemed lower and more manageable than those inherent in an intervention by contractors using the proposed methodology for dismantling the structure.

The Police Service has affirmed its commitment to continue collaborative efforts with partners and local communities to manage the remaining risks surrounding the bonfire.