PCSP support for Solitude project

Banbridge Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) had the opportunity to support a week of activities in Solitude Park run by the SELB.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Aug 2014, 15:02 BST
Members of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service including from back row left, Dale Ashford, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Noel Coupe, Deputy Watch Commander, Stephen Megaw, Deputy Crew Commander, Fire Fighter Dessie Curran, Fire Fighter Keith Cardwell and Dave Loanin, Station Commander Portadown Fire Station, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, were on hand to give helpful advice on the misuse of drugs and alcohol to local youths at Solitude Park, Banbridge. Also included are from front row left, Jonathan Murphy, Independant member of Banbridge Policing Community Safety Partnership, Peter McConville, Matthew McKinnstry, Alister McDowell and Fergal Ross SELB Youth Service. © Photo: Gary Gardiner. IN BL WK 3314-513.Members of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service including from back row left, Dale Ashford, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Noel Coupe, Deputy Watch Commander, Stephen Megaw, Deputy Crew Commander, Fire Fighter Dessie Curran, Fire Fighter Keith Cardwell and Dave Loanin, Station Commander Portadown Fire Station, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, were on hand to give helpful advice on the misuse of drugs and alcohol to local youths at Solitude Park, Banbridge. Also included are from front row left, Jonathan Murphy, Independant member of Banbridge Policing Community Safety Partnership, Peter McConville, Matthew McKinnstry, Alister McDowell and Fergal Ross SELB Youth Service. © Photo: Gary Gardiner. IN BL WK 3314-513.
Members of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service including from back row left, Dale Ashford, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Noel Coupe, Deputy Watch Commander, Stephen Megaw, Deputy Crew Commander, Fire Fighter Dessie Curran, Fire Fighter Keith Cardwell and Dave Loanin, Station Commander Portadown Fire Station, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, were on hand to give helpful advice on the misuse of drugs and alcohol to local youths at Solitude Park, Banbridge. Also included are from front row left, Jonathan Murphy, Independant member of Banbridge Policing Community Safety Partnership, Peter McConville, Matthew McKinnstry, Alister McDowell and Fergal Ross SELB Youth Service. © Photo: Gary Gardiner. IN BL WK 3314-513.

The main aim of the week was to engage with young people who may not currently be involved in organised youth clubs and projects; but also to help promote a positive image of young people and their usage of Solitude Park.

Through the common link of the PCSP, the local police and the NI Fire and Rescue attended on different days, and the respective officers were able to take the opportunity to engage with a range of young people.

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Cllr Seamus Doyle, Chairman of Banbridge PCSP, commented, “The PCSP was able to support a joined-up approach to engaging with local young people between the SELB, the PSNI and the NI Fire and Rescue. Only by working in partnership can we be effective in reducing the impact of crime and anti-social behaviour on the community.”

On behalf of the SELB Youth Service, Patrick Hughes - Area Worker commented: “Over the summer period we as a youth service have flourished to provide young people living within the district a diverse range of opportunities. Some of these opportunities have ranged from achieving a recognised qualification to engaging in various teambuilding trips aimed at enhancing confidence, building knowledge and acquiring new skills. Together with the PSNI, PCSP, Banbrdge District Council and Youth Bank we have managed to create a safe and welcoming environment, especially within Solitude Park over this past week as young people have engaged in different workshops and a graffiti programme aimed at creating an awareness of the dangers involved in risk taking behaviour and safety on a night out amongst young adults within today’s society and especially within the locality of Banbridge.”

On behalf of the PSNI Banbridge Area, Neighbourhood Policing Team Constable Colin McDonnell, continued: “This was a great opportunity to meet young people from the local area and get to know them a bit better. We discussed antisocial behaviour and its consequences and how everyone can actively work to make their community safe. We hope to build on this engagement over the coming months.”

On behalf of Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS), Assistant Chief Fire Officer Dale Ashford said: “We welcomed the opportunity to support this week of youth engagement activities with our partner agencies, through the Banbridge Policing & Community Partnership.

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“We want to keep young people safe from fires and other emergencies, as well as on our roads. Building mutual respect and understanding for the work we do as a fire and rescue service in our community is also an important area of work for us – addressing anti-social behaviour issues such as hoax calls, deliberate fire setting and attacks on Firefighters. For information about Banbridge PCSP, email: [email protected] or tel 4062 0248

Related topics:PSNI