After DUP MP Carla Lockhart calls police response in Scarva 'heavy handed', PSNI says it was ‘appropriate and proportionate’
Amid claims by DUP MP Carla Lockhart that policing during the Scarva protest recently was ‘heavy handed’, the PSNI says their response was ‘appropriate and proportionate’.
The Upper Bann MP attended a counter protest in Scarva to the Great March for Gaza which ran along the towpath towards Newry.
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After a meeting with senior PSNI officers to discuss the June 6 operation, the Upper Bann MP called for ‘meaningful lessons to be learned’.
Ms Lockhart attended alongside DUP MLAs Diane Forsythe, Diane Dodds and Jonathan Buckley, together with Councillor Paul Greenfield, to ‘discuss concerns surrounding the policing operation and how similar situations can be better managed in the future’.
She described the policing operation in Scarva as ‘heavy-handed’ and that there are ‘important lessons to be learned’.
"The most pressing of these is the need for the PSNI to engage proactively with local elected representatives in advance of, and during, future parades or demonstrations of a highly political nature,” said Ms Lockhart.
"Better communication can help reduce tensions and ensure events pass off peacefully.
"We also raised concerns regarding the numerous alleged breaches of the Parades Commission determination. It is important these matters are investigated thoroughly and that the police demonstrate the same commitment to enforcing the law in every circumstance.”
Ms Lockhart paid tribute to those who ‘worked to maintain calm on the day’.
"I want to thank my DUP colleagues and community representatives who stood shoulder to shoulder with the local community in Scarva and worked tirelessly to ensure the day passed peacefully.
"I have been subjected to personal criticism for my presence in Scarva. However, during our meeting, senior PSNI officers commended both myself and my colleagues for the constructive role we played in helping to calm tensions and ensure the day concluded without major incident.
"I hope that acknowledgement will be reflected publicly in due course. Leadership means standing with the community you represent when it matters most, and I make no apology for doing exactly that.”
Ms Lockhart said she hopes the engagement with the PSNI will lead to improved communication with local representatives, greater consistency in policing, and lessons being learned ahead of future events.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “An appropriate and proportionate policing operation was implemented in Scarva to maintain public safety during a notified parade and protest.”