Communication between locals and police continues to increase in Bann area - meeting is told

Constables David Mitchell and Paul LeFondre are responsible for delivery of community policing in Bann which includes Dunloy, Rasharkin, Finvoy, Bendooragh, Macfin and Balnamore.

Engagement with the community, local representatives and councillors continues to increase, members were told.

In the past three months in Rasharkin a number of meetings were held with various interested groups and the voluntary/statutary sector to reduce tensions around parades in the village.

The report to the DPP said this work continues but it is encouraging to note that there has been a reduction in the number of sectarian incidents from 2009.

Bi-monthly interagency meetings are also held in Rasharkin between police, members of the local community, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Community Safety Partnership and a North Eastern Education and Library Board youth worker.

Neighbourhood officers are currently involved with Ground Work NI, Ballymoney Borough Council and the Community Association to secure funding for a multi sports area in the village.

Following the successful public meeting in Rasharkin Community Centre in March, a similar meeting was arranged in the Presbyterian Church Hall in April.

This was also well attended and provided an opportunity for local people to express their views and concerns about local policing matters.

Police surgeries are now established in Dunloy.

It is intended to continue these on a monthly basis, alternating between the Parochial and Presbyterian Church Halls.

Surgeries are now in place in most villages across the Ballymoney area and provide a valuable opportunity for local people to contact their neighbourhood officers, discuss problems and concerns – or just have a friendly north Antrim chat!

Across the borough, officers attend numerous meetings including the Anti-Social Behaviour Forum, Ballymoney Community Forum, Community Safety Partnership, Road Safety Committee and Ballymoney Community Resource Centre. The CASE programme continues in schools across the area delivering messages on key safety issues such as knife crime, internet safety, drug, solvent and alcohol abuse.