NI Policing Board pledge support to tackle drugs problem

Members of the Policing Board have pledged their support to help the police combat the rising drug problem in Northern Ireland.

At a meeting of the Policing Board’s sub committee on community affairs, members were given an outline of the current drugs situation from detectives of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and agreed that tackling the problems would and should remain high on the agenda of the Board.

Speaking about the Policing Board’s commitment Vice-Chairman Denis Bradley said: “The Board recognises the serious drug related problems that are on the rise in Northern Ireland and the impact these have on overall crime levels in Northern Ireland.

“We also recognise that, as a Board, we have an important part to play in promoting and encouraging further cooperation between all parties, including the police and local community groups, to tackle these challenges.

“We are fully committed to meeting our responsibilities and to using our influence to ensure the many issues surrounding drugs in Northern Ireland are addressed effectively.”

However Derry Sinn Féin policing spokesperson Councillor Paul Fleming has slammed Mr Bradley’s call that community groups work with the police to tackle the drugs issue.

“It is a matter of public record that Special Branch allowed informants a free hand in the drugs trade and allowed loyalist paramilitaries involved in drugs to operate free from the threat of arrest,” Mr Fleming said.

“Indeed, the former head of the RUC Drugs Squad, Kevin Sheehy, admitted publicly that Special Branch had prevented the arrest of drug dealers because they were informants.

“In this light how then can Denis Bradley ask local community groups to work with the PSNI whilst the Special Branch continue as an unaccountable force within force.”

(AMcE)