Residents to get text alerts about Hillsborough crime

The scheme, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, will enable local residents to sign up to receive email and text message alerts from police about any suspicious or criminal activity in their local area.

Spearheaded by the local Neighbourhood Policing Team, it is being backed by the Hillsborough Community Police Liaison Committee, Lisburn District Policing Partnership and Safer Lisburn.

The Hillsborough Neighbourhood Policing Team recently secured extra funding to erect and place signage at a number of locations in the village including Carnreagh, Ashvale, Kilwarlin, Park Street/Lane and Coachmans Rise/Way.

Sergeant Daryl Lucas described the scheme as a great way to protect local residents.

“The first step in the fight against crime is awareness,” he said. “If we can make local people more alert and more aware of what is going on, the better chance they have to take steps to protect themselves and their belongings. This scheme is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and we are hopeful that it will prove to be very successful in keeping Hillsborough safe for its residents.”

Councillor Margaret Tolerton, Chairperson of the Lisburn DPP said, “We are delighted that the Hillsborough text and email alert scheme has now been launched and become operational. This scheme could be seen as a further enhancement to the Neighbourhood Watch Schemes and hopefully will contribute to the problem of domestic burglaries and the invasion of resident’s homes.”

Safer Lisburn Neighbourhood Engagement Coordinator, Stephen McCracke, added: “I would urge local business and community people to utilise and fully support this initiative. Safer Lisburn Community Safety Partnership, one of three key investors in the initiative, continues to help improve communication and engagement between communities through partner based crime prevention strategies.”

Anyone interested in subscribing to the CSN can contact local police on 0845 600 8000.

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