Policing teams to be launched

The teams will be based one in Lisburn with another at Castlereagh at Dundonald Station and are set up as a phased out programme supported by a Neighbourhood Policing Team.

“These officers will be supported by a Neighbourhood Policing Team based at Lisburn and Dundonald Stations,” said Superintendent Sean Wright PSNI District Commander.

“This team 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.

“They will respond to calls as well as conduct investigations and deal with community problems.

“All normal policing will carry on. We will patrol in vehicles and on foot, carry out searches, arrest criminals and the public will continue to see police on a daily basis.

“The reality is that nearly all policing services are delivered outside of stations.

“Jointly their focus will remain on protecting people, preventing crime and detecting offenders through Policing with the Community.”

He went onto say that the officers will be expected to gather an all round knowledge of the area and engage with the community.

“We have been doing a lot of work within the community understanding their needs and how best to keep people safe,” he continued.

April 1, marked the beginning of the biggest transformation that policing in Northern Ireland has faced as a result of aligning with new Council structures which moved from 7 Policing Districts to 11.

ACC Stephen Martin, responsible for District Policing said, “Policing is changing but our policing purpose remains the same - keeping people safe is still our main priority.”