Policing Resources Slammed

While a new five-year plan to tackle crime in Northern Ireland is being introduced, doubts are being raised about the resources at the disposal of the of the PSNI to deal effectively with the issues.

The Northern Ireland Community Safety Strategy is published today underling a need to reduce crime and incidents of anti-social behaviour, as well as to increase public confidence in the police and the criminal justice system.

"Making NI a safer place to live, work and socialise is a top priority," said Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins.

"We are putting added emphasis on diversion and prevention, with a clear focus on families, young people and the need to build strong confident communities," he said.

Responses to the draft document can be submitted to the Northern Ireland Office's Community Safety Unit until 19 January.

However, while interested parties are being asked to make their view known - doubts over resources have been expressed.

An independent member of Moyle District Policing Partnership (DPP) has claimed that people are less safe than two years ago - and that things are set to get worse.

Kevin McAuley said Moyle may see at most four officers available to police 190 square miles, including 42 miles of coast and Rathlin Island.

He claims that a response vehicle for Moyle is also used to cover incidents in Ballymoney, Coleraine and Portrush and that the area's 30 officers have been cut down to 12.

He said that police response teams have little knowledge of local geography to get to incidents quickly and predicts the Bushmills station will close soon and that Cushendall and Glenarm will follow.

However, a police spokesman said: "Policing priorities are identified and implemented in consultation with local communities through the District Policing Partnership."

Meanwhile, in Co Antrim, a special meeting of a local community policing liaison organisation is to be held next week which will help maintain a full police presence in the densely populated area of Glengormley.

Antrim Line Community Policing Forum is to meet with PSNI representatives and DPP members to discuss policing issues including earlier reports that the local station - which currently operates on a part-time basis - could be shut down.

However, Chief Inspector Paula Hilman has already said: "No decision has been taken on the future of Glengormley Police Station but it is true to say that a review of policing in the area is ongoing in line with the new structure of the PSNI.

"We are committed to working with the community to deliver policing at its best and I am satisfied that we will continue to have sufficient resources to deliver an effective and efficient policing service."

(BMcC)