Target is ‘making the area safe’

Superintendent John Magill was speaking last week as he outlined changes to his policing teams in the Causeway Coast and Glens District.

Under the new structure, which came into force on Monday, officers will be divided into two teams, a local policing team, and a neighbourhood policing team.

The local policing teams will be working from two hubs - Coleraine and Limavady stations. They will deal with calls for service, engagement work and community concerns.

The Neighbourhood team, based in Coleraine and Ballycastle stations, will have the capacity to work anywhere in the District, and will have a special focus on areas of social deprivation or in areas where crime is high.

“I have no concerns,” said the Commander. “I am satisfied that I have enough resources.”

The operational changes have been put in place as the PSNI responds to budget cuts of between £40 and £60 million.

“My priority is making Causeway Coast and Glens safe for people to work in, live and socialise here.”

The District Commander said that although police will take ‘the lead’ in tackling crime, his officers would work with outside agencies.