'˜No reduction inpolice officers'

The issue was raised by chairman Councillor Andrew Wilson during the meeting of Mid and East Antrim Policing Community Safety Partnership in Ballymena.

The meeting had been scheduled to discuss concerns over anti-social behaviour among young people in Carrick and Larne.

The PSNI told the meeting of anti-social behaviour “hotspots” in Carrick “in and around Tesco” at Minorca Place and “towards the McDonald’s area”.

The Bytes organisation informed the meeting that it has been “engaging” in this area as well as in Hillview and Whitehead.

Mr. Wilson also expressed concern over a lack of availability of contact details of neighbourhood officers.

He said: “If you go online, you only have two options - 101/999. In previous years, the neighbourhood officers’ contact details would have been available.

“I think that having clear ways to contact local officers could help to increase confidence in policing.

During the meeting, there were presentations from East Antrim District PSNI commander Superintendent Darrin Jones; Tommy Dallas; Education Authority youth worker; Garry McCallister, Harryville Partnership and Daire Brownlee, Bytes, a voluntary youth organisation that uses the latest mobile ICT equipment to engage with young people in local communities.

Meanwhile, in response to concerns over the closure of the enquiry office, PSNI Carrickfergus has stated on social media that the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) will still be based in Carrick and response officers will continue to work from the station.It has also been stated that there will be no reduction in the number of officers on duty in Carrick and a permanent security officer will be on duty.