Stamp out anti-social behaviour says Swann

MR ROBIN SWANN MLA, the Ulster Unionist Party North Antrim Assemblyman and UUP Chief Whip, called on newly-elected Stormont Justice Minister Claire Sudgen to 'make it an absolute priority to stamp out anti-social behaviour in rural areas and she can start with Connor village in my native constituency.'

Mr Swann said: “Local residents approached me following an incident in which a lorry was burnt out in the village during the early hours of last Friday morning (20 May).

“My office has approached the Mid and East Antrim Council regarding the possibility of locating a number of mobile CCTV cameras in the region.

“These issues within our community demand action rather than simple condemnation and photo opportunities.

“In this respect, I am calling on Minister Sudgen to move the issue of combating rural crime and anti-social behaviour to the top of her priority list.

“We need positive action on this issue, not empty rhetoric. Our rural communities must be seen as safe havens for residents, otherwise a situation may arise where because the anti-social behaviour challenge is not stamped out, families may move from those rural areas,” said Assemblyman Swann, who is also a Past Chairman of the influential Rural Youth Europe organisation.