PSNI announces details of policing teams in Newry and Mourne
Plans for The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s new model of frontline policing to continue Keeping People Safe by using resources in the most efficient and effective way possible are progressing.
The exact structure is still being determined, however current Response Teams will no longer exist and instead there will be 25 Local Policing Teams (LPTs) – with an additional small LPT in Crossmaglen.
These will be supported by 34 Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) to deal with issues in areas with higher levels of crime and deprivation, as well as in places of rural isolation.
Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin, who is responsible for District Policing, said, “In Newry, Mourne and Down there will be three Local Policing Teams (LPTs) based in Newry, Newtownhamilton and Downpatrick police stations providing 24 hour cover. There will be an additional small LPT in Crossmaglen.
“The LPTs are an exciting development – they will not just attend calls but will develop a greater sense of ownership of the area and the problems within it. They will build up an enhanced knowledge through engagement with community representatives, local clergy, principals of schools and other key figures.
“The LPTs will be continue to deliver core policing on a daily basis as well as find solutions to problems in a much more Policing with the Community style than the previous response teams.
“We have undertaken a significant amount of work to look at what parts of Northern Ireland would benefit most from an additional Neighbourhood Policing Team,” he insisted.
“They will provide a dedicated extra policing presence, reassurance and commitment to communities where it is most needed. Newry, Mourne and Down District will have three Neighbourhood Policing Teams based in Newry, Kilkeel and Newcastle Police Stations which will be mobile and deployed to areas to deal with critical issues.”
The changes to frontline policing are the result of a requirement to align with new Council structures by April 1, as well as the severe, ongoing budget cuts facing the PSNI and decreasing resources. It will take up to six months to have the new model fully in place, during which time the new LPTs and NPTs will begin functioning.
“There is still much work to be done around the detail of team sizes, shift patterns and job descriptions, to name but a few challenges and these decisions will be made over time.
ACC Martin added, “Policing is changing but our policing purpose remains the same – keeping people safe is still our main priority and we will continue to do this by preventing harm, protecting the vulnerable and detecting offenders.
“The public will continue to see police on a daily basis as officers will be patrolling in vehicles and on foot, carrying out searches and making arrests.”
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Posted by Newry Times News
on Feb 13 2015. Filed under Community, Politics.
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