PSNI failed to act as thieves stripped metal

PSNI failed to act as thieves stripped metal

16 May 2012 - by David Telford

OPPORTUNISTIC thieves who targeted a Downpatrick health centre in broad daylight escaped after police failed to quickly respond to a tip-off.

An alert member of the public who spotted hooded youths on top of the Market Street Day Centre last Wednesday evening alerted police, but was informed no car was available to take officers to the scene. The youths had left by the time police eventually arrived.

The local man, who did not want to be named, said he initially spotted the youths climb over a gate between the library and health centre at around 8pm, after which he contacted police.

When he later drove to the rear of the building he saw the youths ripping at what he believes may have been lead flashing. He contacted police a second time and was informed no vehicle was available to respond to his call.

He continued: “During the first call, police took my name and details and when I rang back a second time I was informed there was no car available, but efforts were being made to get someone to the health centre.

“Here we had a golden opportunity for police to scoop these boys while they were stealing lead or damaging the roof but no one arrived. The youths were clearly up to no good and the fact it was a clear evening didn’t appear to bother them at all.”

The man said the youths then clambered down from the health centre and calmly walked away with no police officers in sight.

“I could not believe there wasn’t a police car available to take officers to the scene of this crime,” he continued.

“The PSNI continually asks members of the public to be vigilant and report suspicious activity which is exactly what I did. But there was no car to transport police to Lower Market Street where a crime was being committed.”

The local man added: “This incident happened in broad daylight and when the youths got down from the roof, they walked away. I also later saw one of them walking past the police station in Irish Street shaking his fist at the building.

“I find it absolutely incredible that there wasn’t a police car available last Wednesday evening to take officers to the health centre to apprehended these youths.”

A PSNI spokesman said police received a report that youths were on the roof of a building in Market Street around 8.40pm last Wednesday evening. He said they received another call at 8.47pm to say the youths had gone.

The spokesman added: “Officers attend the scene and checked the surrounding area at 9pm and confirmed that there were no persons present.

“Police in Downpatrick take the issue of anti-social behaviour very seriously would encourage members of the public to report all incidents on 0845 600 8000.”

A spokeswoman for the South Eastern Trust said the organisation is aware of possible damage to the roof of the Market Street Day Centre. She said arrangements were made for repairs to be undertaken to ensure the building remains watertight and fully operational.