Several hundred people have attended a rally calling for tougher action against car thieves in west Belfast.

Demonstrators walked through the Lenadoon estate on Thursday where three people have been killed by so-called joyriders in recent years.

The rally was organised by members of the Families Bereaved Through Car Crime campaign group - including Marie McDonald whose son was killed two years ago.

She said more had to be done to tackle the problem.

'Repeat offenders'

"The people are saying enough is enough, we don't want any more," she said.

"There is help out there for these people, some of whom are 11-years-old.

"These people are repeat offenders until they are 21 or 22. It has to stop."

More than 20 people have been killed by car thieves in Northern Ireland.

Earlier this year the campaigners met with the Prime Minister Tony Blair who pledged that the Northern Ireland Office would work with them.