'˜Summit' on ASB issue

Mid and East Antrim Policing and Community Safety Partnership will stage the meeting at the end of this month to allow people to have their say on the contentious problem.

It will take place on Wednesday, March 29 at 7.00pm, in Harryville Community Centre, Ballymena and will be attended by community police officers and Members of the PCSP.

The meeting will also involve the PSNI’s new District Commander for Mid and East Antrim in one of his first public roles.

Mid and East Antrim Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) Chair, Councillor Andrew Wilson, who will also be taking part 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.”

The meeting will be one of the first occasions where local people can meet the new PSNI District Commander for Mid and East Antrim, Superintendent Darrin Jones, in person.

Speaking ahead of the public meeting, Superintendent Jones said: “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,” Superintendent Jones said.