New police units ready to get going

New police units ready to get going

23 September 2015

THE PSNI’S new-style community policing units go live from Monday in a major policing shake-up.

There will be four Local Policing Teams (LPTs) providing 24-hour cover in the Newry, Mourne and Down District area based in Downpatrick, 

Newry, Newtownhamilton and Crossmaglen.

Replacing police response teams, the 26 LPTs across Northern Ireland will deal with both response and neighbourhood issues.

The LPTs are being supported locally by three Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) in Newcastle, Newry and Kilkeel.

The Down area alone used to have three neighbourhood teams based in Newcastle, Downpatrick and Rowallane.

The NPTs that have remained after the cuts, 34 in total across Northern Ireland, are concentrated in areas that have higher levels of crime and deprivation.

Earlier this year the PSNI announced it was to implement the “biggest shake-up” in policing in years due to budget cuts and council boundary changes.

The PSNI’s budget was cut by £38m this year, and could be higher again next year.

Superintendent Simon Walls, PSNI District Commander, said the LPTs would be providing “24 hour cover to continue keeping local people safe right across the district”.

“These officers will be supported by three Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs), based in Newry, Kilkeel and Newcastle Police Stations,” he said. 

“Their teams will be mobile and deployed to areas to deal with critical issues. Jointly their focus will remain on protecting people, preventing crime and detecting offenders through policing with the community.”