Police Initiative Tackling Illegal Scrambling Wins Award

A West Belfast Neighbourhood Policing Team has been recognised for its innovative work in tackling illegal street scrambling at the Police Service of Northern Ireland's annual Problem Solving Awards.

The team received a community award for their "Operation CHICQUER" initiative, which has led to a significant reduction in scrambler-related incidents in the area.

The Problem Solving Awards celebrate successful problem-solving initiatives across all of the PSNI's policing districts. This year, the focus was on projects that have gone above and beyond in keeping communities safe.

Operation CHICQUER was launched by the Colin Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) following the tragic death of a local mother and ongoing concerns within the community about illegal scrambling. The initiative adopted a proactive and innovative approach, involving collaboration with community representatives, youth services, and schools. The operation has yielded positive results, with a noticeable decrease in the number of scrambler-related incidents reported in West Belfast. Police noted that approximately 70% of offenders involved in illegal scrambling were aged between 12 and 18. To address this, the team ran a nine-week educational programme last summer in partnership with Cornerstone Off-Road Motorcycle Academy, targeting 18 "at risk" youths to improve their understanding of road safety.

Beyond education, the Colin NPT also engaged with landowners affected by the illegal activity and developed a comprehensive Criminal Justice Strategy. A social media campaign was launched, which resulted in the creation and distribution of leaflets and posters, as well as the placement of pull-up signs in key locations. These materials were disseminated locally through consultation and partnership working with schools, youth centres, businesses, and community groups, including the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership.

The PSNI has emphasised that officers from the Colin NPT continue to actively target illegal street scrambling on a daily basis during their patrols. These efforts are supported by other neighbourhood policing teams, the PSNI air support unit, and local district policing teams. The award recognises the dedication and collaborative approach of the West Belfast officers in addressing a significant community safety issue.