PSNI Recommits To Victim-Focused Policing

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has reaffirmed its commitment to victim-focused policing, despite recent survey findings that suggest some victims feel their experiences are not being adequately addressed.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson, the PSNI's Victims Champion, expressed his gratitude for the Victims Commissioner Designate's ongoing efforts to ensure victims' voices are heard throughout the justice system. While acknowledging the disappointment expressed by a small sample of respondents, Henderson highlighted that a broader survey conducted by the Northern Ireland Policing Board in 2023 found overwhelming support for the PSNI.

The 2023 survey revealed that 91% of respondents felt confident contacting the PSNI, and seven in ten were satisfied with the service provided. Furthermore, two-thirds expressed confidence in the PSNI's ability to protect and serve their communities. Henderson emphasized that the PSNI's officers and staff have worked tirelessly to keep people safe and address community concerns, despite facing increasing demands and limited resources. He noted that the draft Policing Plan 2025-2030, currently open for public consultation, prioritizes victim-focused policing as a key outcome for effective policing.

The PSNI has expressed its intention to work closely with the Victims Commissioner Designate to delve deeper into the issues raised in the survey and ensure that victims feel listened to, supported, and encouraged to report crimes to the police.

PSNI Victims Champion, Assistant Chief Constable, Ryan Henderson said: "As a victim-focused Service our officers and staff have worked tirelessly to keep people safe and tackle the issues that matter to the communities we serve, against a backdrop of increasingly limited resources and growing demand.

"As highlighted in the draft Policing Plan 2025 – 2030 which was recently launched for public consultation, ensuring that we are victim-focused is one of the key outcomes against which the delivery of effective policing will be measured.

"We have a close working relationship and I look forward to continue working with the Commissioner Designate to understand in more detail the issues outlined in the survey. Ensuring that victims of crime feel listened to and supported and they have the confidence to come forward and report crime to police."