Community helpneeded on anti-social '˜scourge'

The meeting will take place on March 29, in Harryville Community Centre, Ballymena, starting at 7.00 pm.

It will be attended by community police officers and members of the PCSP.

It is being organised to seek the community’s views on the best way to tackle anti-social behaviour across the borough.

Recently, police made a direct appeal to parents to take responsibility for their children following incidents of stone-throwing at Clipperstown in which teenagers were hurling missiles at passing cars.

The PSNI’s new District Commander for Mid and East Antrim Superintendent Darrin Jones will also be present in one of his first public roles.

Mid and East Antrim (PCSP) chair, Councillor Andrew Wilson, said: “Given that one of the main aims of Mid and East Antrim PCSP is to engage and empower communities and develop solutions in partnership to tackle crime, fear of crime and of course, anti-social behaviour, we are very keen to discuss these particular problems.

“Our members want you to have your say and are therefore inviting everyone to attend this public meeting focusing on the scourge of anti-social behaviour.”

Superintendent Jones stated: “I am looking forward to the challenges that come with being commander of a busy policing district and getting to know the area, my colleagues, and our partners.

“It is clear that there is a desire amongst the community and partner agencies to tackle issues such as anti-social behaviour, burglary and drugs here in Mid and East Antrim and there are already a number of great initiatives running including the new Text Alert system – that has proved to be very successful in just a few months since introduction.

“I would strongly encourage the local community to come along to this public meeting so that their issues and concerns can be heard and that we work together to identify positive action.”

For more information, please contact Mid and East Antrim PCSP on: telephone: 028 28 262461 Email: [email protected]