Police chief is fighting Ballymoney's corner

During a recent District Policing Partnership meeting Chief Inspector John Magill explained: “From April to December 2008 there were 17.7% clearance rate, compared to 16.0% from April to December 2009 - a decrease of 1.7% and not on target.

“However as from today (last Tuesday) we are sitting at 18.2% and an increase of half a percent.

“Police will use all investigative opportunities to solve crime. The proper management of these investigations assist in obtaining crime clearances.”

Addressing the figures, DPP member Michael Fleming expressed concern over the lack of police resources asking: “Moyle is sitting at a clearance rate of almost 20% and Coleraine is 24.7%, how come we are a lot lower? Is this because Ballymoney has been robbed of resources by the new centralization of officers?

“I feel Ballymoney has just been forgotten about. When the response was based in Ballymoney we had a clearance rate of 19.7% and now it’s down to 18.2%, that’s a reduction of 1.5%.

“Here in the H District we have Ballymena with 31.2% clearance rate, Coleraine with almost 25% and Moyle with 19.9%. Why do they have higher clearance rates and probably more crime?”

Agreeing with Mr Fleming, the police chief explained: “I know that the difference is not dramatic but there is still a reduction.

“I am trying to get response officers back in Ballymoney and believe this would help our clearance rates. However it is a work in progress and I am fighting the corner for Ballymoney.”

Concluding Mr Fleming added: “It is bad that a villain can go out tonight and has an eight out of 10 chance of not being caught.”