Politicians raise concerns over dissident activity and hate crime with PSNI Larne

Dissident Republican activity and hate crime were on the agenda at a recent meeting between DUP representatives and Larne PSNI.
The boarded up Fleet Street home which was damaged by men wielding hatchets on Wednesday September 21. INLT-39-702-conThe boarded up Fleet Street home which was damaged by men wielding hatchets on Wednesday September 21. INLT-39-702-con
The boarded up Fleet Street home which was damaged by men wielding hatchets on Wednesday September 21. INLT-39-702-con

At a meeting on Friday September 30 East Antrim MLA Gordon Lyons, Cllr Angela Smyth, Alderman Gregg McKeen and Cllr Paul Reid voiced their concerns over issues including rural crime, hate crime, anti-social behaviour, criminal activity, road safety and dissident Republican activity.

The PSNI have increased patrols in the Larne area after a number of incidents in Larne including hatchet attacks, an armed robbery at Ballygally Castle hotel and the ramming of three police vehicles by a car.

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The incidents follow the discovery of a “significant amount of terrorist material” by police at 12 separate locations in the Larne area during recent terrorism-related searches.

In a statement, the DUP representatives said: “Whilst we are aware that Larne has relatively low levels of crime compared to other areas in Northern Ireland, no level of criminality is acceptable and we urge the Police to take action to ensure that crime is tackled. We are pleased that after a recent spate of crime the Police have increased the number of patrols in the area and this includes plain clothed officers.

“Of course one of the most important resources that the Police have is the help and support of the local community and we would urge people to ensure that they take all action possible to prevent themselves from becoming victims of crime and also to pass on any information they have about criminality to the Police. We would also encourage people to get in contact with us if they have any issues of concern that they would like addressed.”