Policing plan aims to put more officers on the beat

It's one of the nine targets in the local Policing Plan for the next 12 months which was launched at the Civic Centre last week by the new area commander Chief Inspector Darrin Jones.

The plan was developed after extensive consultation with the District Policing Partnership, the community and local police officers, and includes cutting the number of violent crimes, reducing deaths and serious injuries on local roads, and increasing the detection rate.

Speaking at the launch, CI Jones said: "The plan has been drawn up in conjunction with partner organisations and the community. We have listened to their concerns and ideas and the plan is aimed at identifying local priorities on which police will concentrate resources and operations in the coming year.

"My job is to ensure that we address the issues that are right at the forefront of local people's concerns. We owe it to the community to provide the finest, personal, protective and professional policing service tailored for the needs of this area. The closer our ties with the community are, and the more dialogue we engage in, the greater our chances are of delivering just that."

He spoke of the progress that has been made in the past year in the Lisburn district.

"We have been making significant progress in strengthening our partnerships with the community, which saw a reduction in burglaries on a whole of -3.4% for the period April 2009 – March 2010, this works out at 28 fewer burglaries or victims of crime," he said.

"However, we must not become complacent and we will continue to work closely with the community and partner agencies to help make Lisburn a safer place.

"We want to support the District Policing Partnership in their task of monitoring our targets on behalf of all of the community at regular public meetings throughout the year. This is a vital and greatly beneficial task, not least from the police's point of view."

CI Jones continued: "The last 12 months had been challenging and very rewarding with a significant increase in the number of drugs seizures, combined with an increase in the number of people arrested and charged with drugs related offences.

"The new plan will push those boundaries even further and will only be achievable with the help and support of the local community and our key partners.

"The more we work together, the more we can achieve and hopefully improve the quality of life for the residents of Lisburn," he concluded.

The chairman of Lisburn DPP, Councillor Arder Carson said it was critical the police focused on increasing public confidence by delivering "a civic policing service that is proactive and meets the needs of the local community".

He continued: "The people of the City have made it clear that they want increased police visibility on the streets and greater focus given to detecting crime and apprehending those responsible.

"Lisburn DPP remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure the local police remain accountable to the people it serves and we continue to ask for your support in building positive relationships."