Police use their discretion against graffiti

Brownlow Neighbourhood Policing Team, in conjunction with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, are using discretion to deal with crime and educate young people about the consequences of getting caught up in criminal and anti-social activity.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jun 2015, 07:00 BST
Police investigating the attack on the home of a police officer living in Eglinton have arrested a 57 year-old man in Lurgan.Police investigating the attack on the home of a police officer living in Eglinton have arrested a 57 year-old man in Lurgan.
Police investigating the attack on the home of a police officer living in Eglinton have arrested a 57 year-old man in Lurgan.

In April this year, five youths damaged an underpass in Enniskeen by writing their names in plaster that hadn’t dried out. The youths were identified and spoken to and, with the permission of the local council, were dealt with by way of discretionary disposal.

Constable Skillen said: “We use discretionary disposals to deal with minor crimes, such as some incidents of criminal damage, minor assaults and theft. A disposal of this nature means a faster outcome for the victim of the crime and also helps us to spend more time out in communities by reducing the time spent completing paperwork for court.

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“We only use discretionary disposals when the victim is in full agreement to their use and they cannot be used with persistent offenders.

“Discretion is not a criminal conviction, so the suspect will not be given a criminal record, however details will be held on police records, which will be consulted by officers in the event of a further offence.

“In this instance the five youths agreed to pay a fee of £50 and wrote letters of apology to the council. The young people have accepted responsibility for their actions, and a disposal like this will not affect their future career or education prospects. Hopefully this experience will also act as a deterrent for the young people involved.”