Crime perception statistics ‘show need to keep stations open’

LAGAN Valley MLA Paul Givan has warned the recently published findings of the Northern Ireland Crime Survey show why it is important for the police to re-think proposals to close Dunmurry and Hillsborough PSNI stations.

The chairperson of the Assembly Justice committee said he believed the public’s perception of crime rates, which are at odds with the actual figures, would be exacerbated bythe proposed closure of the local police stations.

Mr Givan (right) said: “The up-to-date statistics that have been published by the Department of Justice highlight the need for a physical police presence.

“The report highlights that 62% of the respondents believe crime figures are increasing despite the actual figure decreasing.

“It is my view that closures of police stations across Northern Ireland have contributed to this belief which is borne out by the views of local people in Dromara when their police station closed. I fear that with the proposals by the Policing Board to close Hillsborough, Dunmurry and Dromore Police stations, this figure of perception will greatly increase in Lagan Valley.

“This research also suggests that there is more anxiety about victimisation than the actual risk. 15% of respondents believed they were more likely to become a victim of burglary which is in stark contrast to the actual figure of 2%.

“There is clearly a case for reducing the fear of crime among people and one way to do this is to retain the physical police presence through the police stations in the constituency and more officers on patrol.”