Policing For Anti-Social Activities Debated

One of the most often debated community policing issues, that of anti-social behaviour, has been discussed at high level.

Members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board's Community Engagement Committee hosted a special meeting with religious and community representatives to discuss the response by the police and wider criminal justice sector to Province-wide community concerns around the incidences of anti-social behaviour.

Speaking about the meeting, Committee Chair, Alex Maskey said: “In recent weeks there have been increasing community concerns around the incidences of anti-social behaviour with a real fear within parts of the wider community that this type of behaviour is out of control.

"Board Members felt that it was important to try and do something different to ensure that our community is and can feel safer; and that they can have confidence that those of us in the criminal justice system are delivering what communities need.

"The round table discussion with religious and community leaders and agency representatives provided an opportunity for views to be aired in an open and frank way, with assurance being provided by the police that they, along with key partner agencies, are taking concerns seriously and focussing resources into dealing with the real issues facing communities.

"This is a public safety and public confidence issue. The public need to know that those with the powers at their disposal are working together in support of communities – support that requires agencies to ensure resources are used to best effect, that there are no gaps within public sector delivery and that enforcement powers are exercised appropriately," he said, also noting that a number of actions agreed at the meeting will now be taken forward with a further review in three months.

(BMcC)