People make voices heard on policing

Banbridge Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) and Gilford Community Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) were represented at a meeting of Gilford Forum as part efforts to ensure that policing delivery reflects the involvement, views and priorities of local communities.

Banbridge PCSP Policing Committee, which comprises of the Political and Independent Members of the PCSP, was represented by Mr Jonathan Murphy, the PCSP Vice-Chair and Cllrs Curran and Doyle.

Sgt Stewart and Constable Madine attended on behalf of the PSNI Banbridge & Gilford Neighbourhood Team to provide an update on crime and anti-social behaviour in the Gilford Area as well as discussing policing issues raised by local residents.

These included questions about recent burglaries, problems with anti-social behaviour, speeding in the Whinney Hill area and parking on the footpath in the Castlehill area.

Sgt Stewart was able to confirm with the Chair of Gilford Forum that local police engagement with Gilford youth club and with young people across the areas of Gilford, Laurencetown and Scarva was on-going and working well.

PCSP Policing Committee Vice-Chair Mr Murphy commented: “These local public meetings provide a great opportunity for people to meet their local Neighbourhood officers and to raise issues of local concern with them.

“As well as the Gilford Area, the Policing Committee is supporting community and police meetings in Dromore, Rathfriland and Banbridge town during May and June.”

He continued, “The members will discuss feedback from each of the geographic areas and agree appropriate actions as required at a Policing Committee private meeting on May 29. This is part of their remit of monitoring police performance to ensure local accountability.”

Councillor Curran added that people should take the opportunity to raise all policing and community safety issues at these meetings as this will also help to provide feedback to policy makers who can then lobby for changes in existing or new legislation related to making our communities safer.

An information leaflet about Banbridge PCSP and its Members was distributed along with information about a small grants scheme and funding for accredited Neighbourhood Watch groups for which applications will be invited in the next couple of weeks.

Please see your local press for details or contact the Banbridge PCSP staffing team on 028 4062 0246 or email: [email protected]