Burglaries, speeding and base closure top meeting

Burglaries, speeding and base closure top meeting

2 March 2016

POLICING issues topped the agenda at a meeting in Ballynahinch last week.

A number of DUP councillors met police officers at the town’s Market House including Inspector

Mark Peters and Sergeant Suzanne Cochrane of the PSNI’s neighbourhood policing team.

Concern was expressed about a number of recent break-ins in the Dundrum area although police reported that progress is being made in apprehending those responsible.

Rowallane councillor, Garth Craig, said other issues discussed included speeding concerns in the Ballynahinch area, with police giving assurances that officers would be deployed to monitor this issue.

“Residents have expressed concern about the speed of vehicles entering the town from the Belfast Road direction with councillors keen for the issue to be addressed to improve both driver and pedestrian safety,” he said.

Councillor Glynn Hanna raised the issue of anti-social behaviour in a number of housing estates at the Castlewellan Road area in Newcastle. The officers said they are aware of the issue and investigations are ongoing.

Inspector Peters said new local policing teams that were assigned to each of the local council’s district electoral areas would aid a more effective policing response to incidents.

The proposed closure of Ballynahinch police station was raised by councillor Billy Walker during last week’s meeting.

Last month, politicians were told the Church Road base was to close but several days later it was announced the closure plan was being put on hold.

PSNI Chief Constable, George Hamilton, decided to suspend the closure of the Ballynahinch station and bases in Portaferry, Warrenpoint and Newry to allow him time to review the “risks, benefits and implications” of the proposals.

If the Ballynahinch station does close, it will leave the entire Rowallane area without a police station, something which concerns local politicians.

During a public meeting in Saintfield several years ago, councillor Walker warned that after Killyleagh, Crossgar and Saintfield stations closed, Ballynahinch would be next “before the PSNI comes for Newcastle.”

Following last week’s meeting he said while he appreciates the financial constraints the police are under, they need to be upfront with the public about their long-term plans.

“There is concern that a huge swathe of the district will be relying on mobile patrols to police the area once the Ballynahinch base closes. I do not want to get people’s hopes up and say the Church Road station will earn a reprieve as I do not believe this is going to happen,” he declared.

“A commitment has been given that the PSNI will deploy its mobile station in the Rowallane area and the facility was in Ballynahinch last week. It is important people have confidence and know that when they require police assistance it will be forthcoming.”

Councillor Walker said he believes it’s important the public can see police officers on the ground, arguing this provides them with a degree of confidence.