Theft and criminal damage reductions in Ballymoney and Moyle

The plans were developed after extensive consultation with District Policing Partnerships, the community and local police officers, and are vitally important in setting out the priorities of the Police Service of Northern Ireland over the coming year.

Speaking at the launches, Area Commander for Ballymoney, Chief Inspector John Magill, said: “These local plans are key tools in helping us deliver for the people of the area.

“Working with partner organisations and the community, we have developed the plans to identify local priorities on which Police will concentrate resources and operations in the coming year. The targets are set against police performance in the preceding 12 months.

“My job is to ensure that we address community concerns and that people receive a personal, protective and professional policing service tailored for the needs of this area.

“In Ballymoney we have been making significant progress in strengthening our partnership with the community, which is reflected in the reduction in theft (down 11.8%), criminal damage (down 16.5%), total violent crime (-9%) and no recorded robberies compared to the same period the previous year.

“And in Moyle burglary is down 29.1%), theft (down 38%), criminal damage (down 21%) and sexual offences (down 62.1%) compared to the same period the previous year.

“However, we must not become complacent, and will continue to work closely with the community and partner agencies to help make Ballymoney and Moyle safer places.”

Chief Inspector Magill continued: “It is the role of the DPPs to monitor our targets on behalf of all of the community at regular public meetings throughout the year, and we will work with them and support them in doing this. The more we work together, the more we can achieve.”

Ballymoney District Policing Partnership Chairperson Councillor Malachy McCamphill said: “I am looking forward to working with my colleagues and community representatives in monitoring the objectives and targets contained within this plan. We will be doing this in a very open way by holding public meetings.

“These meetings will allow the Area Commander to report on crime and detection rates contained in the plan and to address issues that may have raised the public’s interest or concern.

“We will be having further consultation with the people of the Borough on this vital public service. I would encourage you to use the public meetings or contact the Manager and Members of the DPP with your views on any aspect of local policing”.

The Chairman of Moyle DPP, Councillor Willie Graham, said: “I welcome this local policing plan, it is a challenging plan and represents what we believe should be the main focus for policing in Moyle over the year ahead.

“The plan focuses on addressing many of the issues and concerns that are frequently highlighted to us; most notably, anti-social behaviour, drugs, assaults, road safety and the visibility of police.

“I echo the sentiments expressed by Chief Inspector Magill about the importance of working with the community and our partner organisations in the delivery of this plan. It is our job, within the DPP, to help and develop positive relationships between the police and local communities and we will use all of the resources that we have at our disposal to continue to do that.”

In concluding remarks the Chairman said: “If you would like to find out more about the work of the DPP, or get involved in our public events and meetings, please contact the DPP office (tel. 02820762225, email: [email protected]).