Crime soars but detection rates hit four-year low: Policing Board report

The first annual report from the Northern Ireland Policing Board has revealed a significant increase in the number of bomb and gun attacks in the province over the past year.

The report, which was published on Wednesday, indicated that the number of shooting incidents have trebled in the last year, while the number of bombing incidents also increased.

Another startling statistic also showed that crime detection rates have fallen to their lowest in four years.

Commenting on the figures, Chairman Professor Desmond Rea said: “Clearly this has been a year of highs and lows for the police, the Board and the community. Positive developments such as the creation of a new policing emblem and the graduation of the first PSNI recruits have been somewhat marred by the ongoing terrorist threat, and the continued sectarian clashes in north Belfast.

“Police performance too has seen its ups and downs. Detection rates were low, there were fewer arrests for drug offences and more officers were absent due to sickness.

“While the Board believes that performance could have been better over the past year we recognise the problematic circumstances in which the PSNI have been operating.

“The good news is that public confidence in the police service is growing and we want to see that continue. More people than ever believed that the police treat everyone equally and we believe this is a strength upon which we can build.

“The reality is that the police need to do better but they will only be able to do that with real input from the communities they serve. The DPPs offer the opportunity to create a two way street where the community help the police help the community. Only then will we create a safer society for us and our children.”

The report contains an assessment of police performance against the nine objectives contained in the 2001/2002 Annual Policing Plan. These objectives were set by the former Police Authority and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

The Policing Board came into being in November when the Royal Ulster Constabulary became the new Police Service of Northern Ireland as part of the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

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