Go-ahead give for return of anti-social joint patrols

Go-ahead give for return of anti-social joint patrols

9 May 2012 - by David Telford

ANTI-social joint patrols between Down Council officials and the PSNI, which were axed in council cutbacks, are to be resumed.

The late-night patrols in several towns were targeted at underage drinking and troublesome behaviour but were stopped as part of major cutbacks introduced by councillors earlier this year.

However, the introduction of new shift patterns within the council means enforcement officials have been freed up to resume the patrols.

Council officers are pleased with the move but have highlighted the need for police personnel to provide back-up to its staff when they are working late at night.

Last week, the PSNI’s district commander Chief Inspector Deirdre Bones met with local politicians to assure them of continued police support. She said feedback from police officers said joint patrols had been very good in tackling anti-social behaviour and underage drinking issues.

The police chief also confirmed anti-social behaviour across the district has been decreasing over the past number of years, but said she couldn’t give a guarantee that police will be alongside council officers all the time.

Chief Inspector Bones suggested police and council staff could keep in radio contact with the local authority providing the PSNI with details about where its enforcement staff will be working at weekends.

Rowallane area PSNI Inspector Roberta Morrison said police have missed the contact with council enforcement staff since their hours were changed.

Council officer, Mr. Tony McCrory, said enforcement staff have limited powers, stressing the importance of police officers being with them on occasion dealing with particular situations. He also conceded police officers can’t be with council staff all the time, particularly if they are called away to deal with an emergency.

“What we are concerned about at council level is the health and safety of our enforcement staff out working on their own,” he said.

Councillor Cadogan Enright highlighted the success of a joint PSNI and Down Council operation to tackle a drinking problem in Killough, while Councillor Eamonn O’Neill said there are times when local authority enforcement staff require PSNI support.

He added: “We are anxious to make the best use of our enforcement officers and want to ensure there is a good working relationship with the PSNI. I also fully understand that there may be times when police officers are not available.”

Councillor Billy Walker said police and council staff working alongside one another helped address anti-social behaviour problems in Crossgar and highlighted the need for the “highly effective” partnership arrangement to continue.

At the conclusion of last week’s meeting it was agreed talks would continue between local police and council staff to firm up an “effective working structure” on joint patrols.