Justice Minister urged to visit South Armagh after recent spike in burglaries
SDLP Assembly Member Justin McNulty has expressed his ‘deep concern’ at the recent spike in burglaries in the Bessbrook and Camlough areas and has called on Justice Minister Claire Sugden MLA to visit the area for herself to reassure the local community.
Speaking to Newry Times, McNulty said, “In recent weeks and months we have seen a spike in burglaries and indeed anti-social / anti-community activity in the area.
“Many of our elderly citizens and single mothers are living in fear in their own homes. Just last weekend we heard of the horrible attack on a family pet during one incident. The people in this community are deeply shocked and angry at this attack.”
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“I have spoken with the PSNI South Armagh Area Inspector and she has assured me that extra patrols have been put on and that PSNI are working actively with An Garda Síochána in an effort to apprehend the perpetrators of these burglaries.
“I asked her to ensure that that the Police are visibly stepping up their activity in the area, to reassure the community that they are doing all that they can to help alleviate fear. At the same time, it was noted how important it was that the community report any suspicious activity in the area.”
“In an effort to bring more focus on this issue I have spoken with and written to the Minister for Justice Claire Sugden. I relayed the very real concerns of the community in South Armagh to her.
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McNulty added, “I have invited her to come to this area, to meet with people in the community. I hope that she will take me up on this invitation in the near future and hope that her visit will seek to reassure people in the area that their concerns and fears are being listened to.”
More on this story:
Elderly woman left shaken after Bessbrook incident
Family pet killed in Bessbrook burglary: Police investigate link with several other recent burglaries
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