The police response to a peaceful protest highlighting the 10 year plight of residents living in unfit housing conditions in the New Lodge has been slammed.

Liam Wiggins from the Upper Long Streets Residents Committee branded the deployment of riot police and flood of police vehicles called in response to their peaceful rally as "totally out of hand".

The protest last Friday afternoon was made up of mostly women and children from the Upper Long Streets who took to the streets to demand better housing . 

The residents campaign is stepping up a gear in light of a 10-year-wait for news of a decision from the Department of Social Development about whether they are going to redevelop the 100 year old homes.

The campaigners marched around the New Lodge and North Queen Street before a heavy police presence moved in. 

When several women tried to walk down Henry Street on the pavement they were stopped by police.

"When we got to North Queen Street the police had blocked off Henry Street, some people were manhandled after they tried to get down Henry Street. The women were saying it was their right to walk down the pavement but the police stopped them.  One woman has a bruise on her arm and another one has bruising to her neck. 

"At that stage police had formed a line from Henry street to Great Georges Street, it was very menacing. Some women said they were really frightened and all they were doing was highlighting the housing situation here."

The amount of Land Rovers and police cars on the scene was not proportionate, Liam added.

"It was unbelievable, like something out of the Troubles 20 years ago. You had police cars doing hand brake turns, the riot squad, about 15 jeeps and cars, the response to women chanting ‘we want better housing’, was totally over the top ."

Chairman of the North Belfast Civil Rights Association (NBCRA) Peter McIlroy said they fully supported the residents .

"DSD are attempting to put the Long Streets on the back burner for another 10 years which is unacceptable.

"NBCRA condemn the heavy handed tactics of the PSNI.The riot squad were an over-reaction to the protest which consisted of mostly women and children. There was no need for public order policing for civil rights issues."

The PSNI said their actions were in response to an illegal protest.

"Police responded to a report of an illegal protest in the Lepper Street area of North Belfast around 3.15pm on Friday 3 July. 

"Organisers of parades are required to give formal notification of their intentions. Participants were given clear and unequivocal warning by police that their formation and assembly on a roadway constituted an illegal parade. 

"In the event that an illegal parade goes ahead, police will seek to preserve public order and ensure public safety. Officers spoke to the organisers and monitored the situation. Following consultation between organisers and police, the crowd dispersed peacefully."