Security Alert In Dundonald Ends After Unknown Substance Deemed Safe

A security alert in the Old Dundonald Road area of Dundonald has concluded after a suspicious package containing an unknown substance was deemed not to be a risk.

Inspector Henderson stated that police received a report at approximately 2:30pm this afternoon that a package containing an unknown substance had been opened.

In response, police initiated a public safety operation in the area, leading to the evacuation of a nearby leisure complex. Colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) attended the scene and examined the substance, determining it posed no risk.

Police have since seized the package and its contents for further examination. Authorities have thanked the public for their cooperation, and all cordons in the area have now been lifted.

PSNI Officer Numbers at Critical Levels – UUP

Policing Board member and North Down MLA Alan Chambers has issued a stark warning about the dwindling numbers of PSNI officers, asserting that the force is significantly understaffed compared to post-Good Friday Agreement recommendations. He highlighted that against a recommended complement of 7,500 officers and 2,500 part-time reservists, the PSNI currently operates with only around 6,200 officers and 150 reservists. Chambers underscored the severe strain this places on officers, leading to increased stress, health issues, and a daily operational deployable total of only around 4,500 officers amidst ongoing security threats.

Chambers echoed concerns raised by Police Federation for Northern Ireland Chairman Liam Kelly, who criticised the Executive for "shredding" the PSNI's recovery plan due to a lack of funding. He suggested a growing "loss of confidence" among officers in Justice Minister Naomi Long's leadership, arguing that her assurances of ongoing talks offer little comfort. Chambers condemned the perceived political apathy towards policing, particularly Westminster's failure to adequately fund the PSNI despite portraying the Good Friday Agreement as a success, while external policing receives increased funding.

Calling for urgent intervention, Chambers demanded that the Justice Minister robustly challenge the Secretary of State to secure the necessary £200 million annual funding for the PSNI for the next three years. He stressed that officers deserve nothing less and that the public's safety is being compromised by the current shortfall. Chambers concluded by aligning with the Chief Constable's "blunt assessments," urging political leaders to heed the "clamour of alarm bells" regarding the deteriorating state of police service delivery.

DUP Welcomes Labour's U-Turn On Winter Fuel Payment Cuts For Pensioners

East Antrim DUP MP Sammy Wilson has welcomed Labour's plans to reverse their previous decision to remove Winter Fuel Payment support from some pensioners. Speaking from Westminster, Wilson stated that the DUP had consistently opposed the original policy, which he described as a "disgraceful attack on so many pensioners."

Wilson highlighted the "real fear and hardship" this policy had caused constituents, particularly with ongoing high energy bills. He praised DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons for providing one-off support to affected Northern Ireland pensioners, acknowledging that this was a temporary measure due to budget constraints and that a full government reversal was necessary.

"While this u-turn is to be welcomed, it is staggering that Labour ever thought it acceptable to target older people in this way," Wilson commented. He concluded by stating that while awaiting the full details in the next Budget, it is clear that "the penny has finally dropped that punishing pensioners was wrong from the start."