Policing

I have had an interest in policing since my youth. Policing and respect for the law is an essential ingredient in any civilised society. I have served on Community and Police Liaison Committees, the Police Authority and was the first Chairman of the new District Policing Partnership (DPP), having held this position twice - 2003/4 and 2006/7.  Since 30 May 2007 I was selected by The Ulster Unionist Party to represent it on the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

Anti-Social Behaviour

This is a relatively recent phenomenon and causes concern in many parts of the Borough. Apart from wanton vandalism many people feel threatened by the presence and conduct of young people. The Legislation was considered to be inadequate and new laws have been made that provide for orders to be made against individuals for ant-social behaviour.

Most young people reach adulthood without causing annoyance and disturbance to others. A small number need to be prevailed upon to comply with acceptable standards.

Illicit use of Drugs

The illicit use of drugs and solvents is a problem that affects society in general. North Down is no exception and we all must be vigilant in detecting and ending the use of this dangerous practice.

The police apply resources to this problem and have a dedicated Anti-drugs Squad. The seizure of drugs and prosecutions are regularly reported to the DPP and are a specific target in the Policing Plan.

Alcohol Abuse

Young people are the main offenders in this area. Many parts of the Borough are covered by the Councils Alcohol Bylaws, which are there to prohibit drinking in public places.

Under age drinking is not uncommon and is against the law. A by-product of alcohol abuse is anti-social behaviour. Excessive drinking is a real danger to both the user and the general public.

Young people often need help to overcome these problems and several agencies are available to assist. But there may always be a need for the police to enforce the laws.

Community Policing

In the past it was quite common for communities to know their local policeman and mutual benefit accrued to both society and the police. Because of the last 30+ years of violence that close working relationship has broken down but with the return of peace there is again a demand for community policing. Police “on the beat” is becoming more common- place in North Down as a result of this demand.

Whilst it is acknowledged that there is an apparent contradiction because police need to be mobile and efficient in responding to crime there is also a need for local neighbourhood policing.

Speeding

It is acknowledged that speeding can be a significant contributor to road traffic accidents. Young people unfortunately are the most likely to cause such accidents and are the most vulnerable between the ages of 17 to 24 years.

The local police are equipped to monitor the speed of traffic within the speed limits and are assisted by Road Policing Units from Newtownards and Castlereagh.

The major cause of road traffic accidents is now careless/dangerous driving and more need to be done to combat these drivers.

Burglary

Domestic burglary is a crime that has lasting effects on the victims involved. Advice on crime prevention is freely available from the police but domestic burglary remains high on the list of crimes within North Down.

Police success rates have been increasing but despite this the crime continues to be a problem. Old people feel particularly vulnerable but the introduction of “ neighbourhood watch schemes and community policing is helping to address the concern.

District Policing Partnership (DPP)

These partnerships were formed in every council area in Northern Ireland under the Police Act 2000.

Each DPP is coterminous with the Police District Command Unit (DCU) and the work of the DPP relates to the work of the DCU in their area.

In practical terms the DPP is a partnership between the local council and the community. Its membership is made up of local politicians who are councillors nominated to the DPP by the local council and independent members drawn from the local community and appointed to the DPP by the Policing Board.

The DPP is a consultative, monitoring and facilitative one and its purpose is to:

• Consult with the public to find out what issues in relation to policing and crime are of concern within that council district.
• Identify local policing priorities arising from the consultation and discuss these with the District Commander and encourage the District Commander to take these issues into account when the local Poling Plan is drawn up.
• Monitor police performance against the objectives contained in the local Poling Plan and the Northern Ireland Policing Plan as it relates to the District.
• Engage with the community to obtain the cooperation of the public with the police in preventing crime.
• Act as a general forum for discussion and consultation on all matters relating to the policing of the district.