Local councillors have also hit out at recent events and called for attacks on emergency services to end.
Firefighters and PSNI officers responding to a fire on Saturday night came under attack from a group of youths.
A crew from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) and PSNI officers were dispatched yesterday following reports of a large fire at Colin Glen Forest Park.
On arrival, they were pelted with stones by a group of youths and were forced to retreat for their safety. The PSNI managed to disperse the crowd of young people.
PSNI officers then discovered that flammable material had been brought into the forest park.
Posting on Facebook a PSNI spokesperson said: “This evening (Saturday) colleagues in the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) answered multiple calls from members of the public concerned about a large fire in the Colin Glen Forest Park.
“On arrival the fire service were stoned and withdrew to prevent personal injury.
“Officers from West Belfast Neighbourhood Policing Team attended a short time later and dispersed a crowd of juveniles.
“Police discovered flammable material brought into the forest park, which had been used to set the fire.”
In a post on social media west Belfast MLA Danny Baker said: “Last night was just another example of the unacceptable behaviour in Colin Glen forest park.
“Fires have been set all over the forest and PSNI and Fire service have been attacked when responding to residents calls.
“I have been engaging with residents and park users this morning who are rightly disgusted.
“This behaviour will not be tolerated by our community.
“The forest is a gem and by working together we will keep it that way.”
A NIFRS crew was attacked after responding to calls about a large fire in the Colin Glen Forest Park (Picture: Police West Belfast)
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SDLP councillor Paul Doherty also condemned the incident and urged for attacks on emergency services to end.
“I am making a plea today for these attacks to stop,” he said.
“While the fire service are responding to incidents like this their attention is being diverted from more deserving matters.
“I would also urge local parents to talk to their young people and ensure they are not engaging in this kind of activity.
“Nobody wants to see a young person end up with a criminal record, but these attacks need to stop immediately for the fire service to be allowed to carry out their important work without fear of being subject to this. This has to end now.”
Sinn Fein councillor, Soibhan McCallin, also urged parents to make sure their children aren’t involved with anti-social behaviour in the area.
“We appeal to parents, if they smell smoke/fire off their children to please explain the dangers associated with these fires.
“The forest, it’s eco system and wildlife are at serious risk. The anti community behaviour takes away from the positivity we have to celebrate and be proud of about our much loved west Belfast.
“This is a small minority of youth engaging in this and is not reflective of the majority of our young people.”
This isn’t the first time the PSNI have reported anti-social behaviour in Colin Glen Forrest Park.
Posting on their Facebook page earlier this month a PSNI spokesperson shared images of ‘expensive’ damage caused in the area.
“With today’s great weather West Belfast Neighbourhood Policing Officers had a walk along the path in the Colin Glen Forest Park,” they said.
“The Officers came across a 40-50 year old tree.
“As you can see in the past several days someone has took it upon themselves to set a fire and burn it. The tree is now unsafe and may need removed.
“This will be expensive and is a terrible look when you visit the path for a walk.
“The river path lies on private ground and when the gates are locked there is no public access – if you are present you are trespassing.”