Crime down, butpolice fail to meet detection targets

Area Commander, Chief Inspector Darrin Jones, told the meeting in Stoneyford that overall crime in the city was down by 4% between April and December 2010.

However, there was a 35% increase in robbery and 5% increase in vehicle crime during the same period.

He told the members of the DPP and the public at the meeting the detection rate for burglary remains very poor and failed to reach the target set in the district policing plan. The DPP has now asked him to provide an update on how the recent arrests of burglars will impact on this target.

Detection rates for domestic violence with injury crimes, and violence with injury crimes also failed to hit the targets set at the beginning of the year and once again the Commander was asked to outline why this is the case.

On a positive note CI Jones reported domestic burglary across the city had decreased by 20%, and the number of cash seizures made under the Proceeds of Crime Act had more than doubled.

The newly appointed Chairperson of the DPP, Councillor Trevor Lunn, said the police performance in achieving the targets set in the local policing plan is very much a mixed bag.

“While there are areas that require particular attention and focus by the police to try and achieve better results, it is pleasing to note that overall crime is down and progress has been made in the areas of domestic burglary, key to this being the recent arrests of prolific burglars. This report has also highlighted examples of good police work and commitment by officers to making Lisburn safer. That must be welcomed” he said.

Mr Lunn said he had requested the first public meeting of his term as chair take place in Stoneyford.

“There was a large turnout from the local community and I was very impressed that they took the time to attend, actively participated at the meeting and had their say on local policing” he said.

Members of the public at the meeting questioned the Area Commander on a number of issues of local concern, which he said he would do all within his power to address.

These included frustrations in contacting the police in Lisburn using the non-emergency telephone number, speeding and other road safety issues, awareness of who the local Neighbourhood police officers are, theft of farm machinery and issues relating to the functioning of Neighbourhood Watch.

Mr Lunn added: “The issues raised by members of the public were very constructive in that all they want to see is an improvement in how things operate from the moment they make contact with the police right through to action being taken and while there was some criticism levelled at the police, there was also positive feedback about the relationship between the local community and the police in Stoneyford.”