DDPP Runs Successful Meeting In Dundrum

Area Commander’s Report.

ANOTHER successful meeting has been held by the Down District Policing Partnership this time in Dundrum. IT was well attended but local politicians and community representatives and residents.

Police Area Commander Deirdre Bones reported that there had been a slight increase in domestic burglaries from the year ending September 2010 at 124 to September 2011. She said, “While we are not hitting the target at the moment, there has been an increase in domestic burglaries from 73 in the first quarter to 56 this quarter. This is the second lowest in five years. Officers continue to be focused on burglaries and continue through hot spot patrolling and enforcing bail conditions of prolific offenders.

DDPP Chairman Cllr Wiliam Dick,  Area Commander Deirdre Bones, Inspector Martin  Trainor and  Una Kelly, DDPP Vice Chairperson, at the Dundrum public meeting.

“Leaflet drops are also conducted in these hot areas and a joint campaign with Crimestoppers to present burglaries is being set up in partnership with the DPP and Community Safety Partnership.”

There has been a considerable increase in the rate of anti-social behaviour incidents during the last quarter and police continue to target these hotspots. The Area Inspector noted that there had been a 33 per cent drop in ASB in the past three years and that it was not likely that this level could be sustained.

Inspector Bones said, “The Neighbourhood Policing Team continue to engage with youths through diversionary activities in partnership with other agencies and deal robustly with any offences that come to light. Operation Snapper deters underage drinking and officers are engaged in the ASBO forum. During the summer months the NPT were involved in the Ardglass action plan along with the Community Safety Partnership and diversionary activities were set up along with joint patrols with Council enforcement officers. The mobile police unit was also deployed giving advice and reassurance and offering information on crime prevention.”

She explained that officers had been very proactive in seizing alcohol from youths over the year and figures were comparative with last year. Further, work is still ongoing with the Youth Diversion Officer, and although the number of referrals has decreased, officers are still aware this is a key issue and also assist in identifying youths who have come to police stations regularly and who may be worthy of ASBO’s and ABC’s.”

The issue of youths drinking in Council byelaw areas was also discussed but she explained that there were difficulties in catching these youths who drop the drink and run.

In dealing with the subject of resolving lesser cases through police officer discretion, the Area Commander said, “Victim surveys have indicated that this is an extremely effective means of disposing of minor crimes and they deem it to be the most beneficial outcome. Officers are becoming more comfortable with using discretion as a means of disposal and the increase is extremely positive.”

Detecting crimes with violence and injury was also a priority for local police and Area Inspector Bones reported that the detection rate has decreased by three percent which was reflected across the PSNI as a whole. She said, “Whilst officers proactively arrest and charge offenders, there is also a trend of members of the public making initial complaints and then withdrawing their statements as they do not want any further police action. This means the crime is recorded but never cleared up.”

On the subject of road safety, she added that the PSNI was making a contribution to the reduction in the number of people killed on our roads with targeted road operations. Recently, in the Rowallene area, the police focused on ‘boy racers’ in a hot spot and later replicated this in Newcastle.

Public Questions.

Police Stations.

Cllr Billy Walker raised the issue about the proposed closure of Ballynahinch and Saintfield police stations asking, “Can the Area Commander give an assurance that in the next round of police station closures, Ballynahinch and Saintfield stations will not close?”

Area Commander Bones explained, “I want my officers out on the street not tucked away in buildings. Increasing visibility is good, and talking to the public is important. Ballynahinch is presently a non-operational police station.” She explained that a new model of policing does not require as many stations and should be measured by its effectiveness in the community.

Traffic Danger On Main Street.

Dundrum resident Deborah Boden explained the difficulties around the school patrol crossing point on the main street. She said, “Traffic just won’t stop and this road is dangerous when it is wet and dark. How can we get a pedestrian crossing here so the children can cross safely? The traffic just speeds by. Even the crossing patrol man is cautious and cars just often do not stop.”

Cllr Patrick Clarke added that “Cars are just not heeding to the speed limits. They are speeding in from both directions. Therefore, I would ask the PSNI to look seriously at this issue.”

Cllr Willie Clarke said, “This should be tabled at the meeting of the Newcastle Councillors to take action on. As an MLA I know the issue of funding has been discussed and we must look at this seriously.”

Cllr Eamonn O’Neill said, “The roads have not improved in 20 years but the cars go faster. Therefore there is a need to re-examine this issue and look at the criteria for fixing these situations. There is a good argument to get this changed.”

Killyleagh Development Association representative John Huddleston said, “If the traffic police were on hand to stop a few motorists it might have immediate effect.”

The PSNI responded saying they would look at this matter and consider deploying traffic speeding measures.

De Courcy Way Bonfires.

Cllr Patrick Clarke also asked the police, “can the PSNI feedback on the work they are undertaking to deal with the late night drinking and sectarian chanting that takes place around the 11^th July bonfire in the village?”

One local Decourcy Way resident complained of unruly shouting and swearing, loud chanting and music, saying “A lot of money is spent in clearing up this mess afterwards. Why is this bonfire allowed to go ahead?”

Dundrum resident and Newcastle Cllr Patrick Clarke said, “I have raised this issue on behalf of the local residents. This year was one of the worst years we have seen lasting about two weeks. I received a number of phone calls at night complaining about the noise. I then spoke to those causing this behaviour and I have raised it with the Bonfire liaison Committee as part of the Community Safety Partnership.

“This subject needs to be addressed urgently. I will continue to meet with all groups in Dundrum to try and resolve the issues and I hope there is light at the end of the tunnel. It is a serious matter when you cannot get to sleep until about 7am in the morning.”

Cllr Willie Clarke said, “The statutory agencies have closed a blind eye to the issues at De Courcy Way. If the bonfire organizers did not make this bonfire so sectarian, it would be easier to manage. Such racist comments would not be tolerated in an inner city in England.”

And Cllr Billy Walker said, “This is a sensitive area. We have been working with towns and villages over Twelfth and Halloween bonfires. Our next priority is Dundrum. It will take time. The Bonfire Liaison Committee’s role in dealing with these issues is second to none. The organizers must run their bonfire in a safe way and should not harass other people.”