Flag protest pictures branded as ‘sledgehammer’ tactics

Cllr Paul Frew DUP MLA for North Antrim and DUP colleague Cllr Audrey Wales, who chairs Ballymena Police and Community Safety Partnership, have met with John Magill, Area Commander PSNI, to discuss the ongoing releasing of images of people involved in the Broughshane protests.

Cllr Frew said: “ We are deeply concerned about the releasing of images of people who, on the very accounts of the police, were not involved in any riotous behaviour, caused no criminal damage and did not cause any injury to any police officers.

“To place these people alongside images of people who are very clearly shown to be throwing stones, charging at or running from police officers is reckless.

“To state that these people are wanted for questioning for these very serious crimes is completely unacceptable and beyond the realms of sensible policing. Even if these people where involved in unlawful acts of blocking a road they do not deserve to be grouped in with rioters and people intent on violence and they certainly don’t deserve to be portrayed as such .

“These images are all round the world on the internet and could have major implications for the people who are pictured ,not least from the terrorist threat that exists at present. Why are the PSNI targeting these people, who everyone in the community of Broughshane see as being an easy touch, when there have been so many other incidents much more serious to investigate and culprits to identify?

“We must support law and order and of course the PSNI but how is this intelligent policing?” asked Cllr. Frew. “This is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. There are questions about the proportionality of this operation and the ongoing investigations.”

Cllr Wales added: “ We have serious concerns on how this will affect the community confidence in the PSNI . This has led to the undermining of the local community police and the work they do in this community . Questions must be asked as to the link between the detectives involved in Operation Dulcet and the intelligence that has been gathered for years by the local police officers who work the ground in the community. There are certain weaknesses in all of this which are totally undesirable.

“It has also undermined the work that we, as local elected representatives, have been doing in the community to advise and calm frustrations around the flags issue .

“We pose the question , will the same resource and vigour be applied when investigating serious crimes surrounding riotous behaviour or criminal damage ? Will the same resource and vigour be applied when investigating the events around the Easter commemorations by republicans and other republican protests? We need to see a balanced approach by PSNI which is proportionate to the alleged crimes committed and that has been sadly amiss in this instance.”

Frew concluded: “In light of this meeting, we will be consulting with our constituents who have contacted us concerned about this issue. We will request a meeting with the Chief constable and senior members of the Operation Dulcet team. We will also be requesting a meeting with the local PPS in order to ascertain how they will deal with any files or reports that would come from the questioning of these unfortunate individuals if that scenario indeed arises.”