The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), in partnership with the Northern Ireland Policing Board, has honoured outstanding examples of community-focused policing at the 2026 Problem Solving Awards.

The ceremony, held on Thursday, 19 February, at the Belfast Harbour Commissioners Office, celebrated initiatives that used creative, evidence-based solutions to improve public safety and confidence.

Seven projects were named winners on the night, spanning categories such as Innovation, Serious Crime, and Service Delivery. Chief Constable Jon Boutcher praised the recipients, stating that the awards "highlight the power of collaboration in developing innovative solutions that make our communities safer."

The Broadway Action Plan, which covers South and West Belfast, was a winner in the Delivering for Communities category. This officer-led strategy successfully tackled persistent anti-social behaviour through a mix of community engagement, diversionary activities, and strategic environmental design.

In the same category, the City Quays Gardens project—led by the Belfast Harbour Police—was recognised for its work in transforming a troubled public space. By improving lighting, landscaping, and design, the team turned the area into a safe and welcoming environment for the public. A highly commended initiative focused on protecting Chinese and Asian communities from targeted burglaries. The project broke down language and cultural barriers to increase crime prevention awareness and encourage the reporting of incidents within these communities.

Technological and Social Innovation

• Enhancing Service Delivery: The Video Officer Attendance Team (VOAT) took the top prize for introducing video technology that allows officers to resolve non-emergency calls remotely, speeding up response times for victims.

• Innovation: The Power to Change campaign won for its strategic approach to combating Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The initiative focused on behavioural change among men and boys, promoting "active bystander" intervention.

• Partners: The Harlander Project, which managed the UK's first autonomous bus pilot, was recognised for its proactive policing model that integrated Belfast Harbour Police into the project from its inception.

The prestigious Chenery Award for the best overall project was awarded to the Public Protection Arrangements NI Threshold Panels. This multi-agency initiative addressed significant delays in managing sexual and violent offenders, successfully stabilising a growing backlog in just five months.

Justice Minister Naomi Long congratulated the nominees, noting that the projects are making a "real difference to people who experience anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, vandalism and crime."

Northern Ireland Policing Board Chair Mukesh Sharma added: "Problem solving together in partnership is the best way to achieve long-term results."