Chief Constable coup for BallymoneyPolice chief makes first ever DPP appearance despite Newry bomb concerns

Mr Matt Baggott, who took over from Sir Hugh Orde four months ago, kept his pledge to visit the borough despite concerns over the car bomb attack outside a courthouse in Newry the day before.

Addressing the DPP members and the general public, the Chief Constable apologized for attending the meeting at Riada House a ‘little late’., however said that such attacks would ‘not disrupt’ his agenda.

“This is my first ever DPP visit and I am delighted to have been invited. I apologize for being a little late, however I have made a marked effort to get here today despite certain events {Newry car bomb} standing in my way,” he explained.

“It is different from days gone by, we are now about ‘business as usual’. We will not let such attacks change our plans.

“These people are in the minority and they will not disrupt me attending a meeting where good people come together to make things happen.

“In Northern Ireland we have great community policing and we encounter fine people who spend a great time helping us. This will not be disrupted - we’ll make a move of strength together.

“Such dissident threats will only serve to bring us closure together and get stronger.”

He explained that there had been over recent 130 attacks of terrorism which was a ‘significant’ number, however he vowed to get the criminals ‘locked up’ with the help of increased police numbers.

He continued: “We have experienced 250 more officers since last June and I’m hoping for another 600 by this July. It has been a hard and messy business but it’s a work in progress.”

The Chief Constable then listened to members’ policing concerns and addressed a barrage of questions from the floor.

Speaking after the meeting, many members of the public praised the Chief Constable on his ‘common sense’ approach to policing and his ‘friendly and welcoming manner’.

John McAuley from Seacon added: “I feel the police chief was very well received in Ballymoney and we thank him greatly for coming along.

“I spoke to him after the meeting about a number of issues including seatbelts and speeding in Seacon and he was very easy to speak to, he listened to everything I had to say.

“He has a very common sense approach to policing and I look forward to seeing what he does over the next few months.”