This section of the website includes some of the frequently asked questions relating to the DPP and the local police from the DPP public meetings.
What efforts does the PSNI make to interact with schools at both primary and secondary level?
June 05
Question: How can higher levels of satisfaction be achieved in patrolling when overtime has been reduced and a lack of resources exists?
Response: The level of resources is finite and is determined by the Human Resources allocation model which takes into account crime statistics, demography etc. At present Coleraine DCU is awaiting one Inspector and two Sergeants. The District Commander has to make best use of resources and that does not always mean putting officers on overtime - it is important to put officers on patrol either on foot or bicycle and to target appropriate patrolling to reduce crime. The Superintendent will be reporting the number of hours and frequency of patrols to the District Policing Partnership in relation to an Annual Policing Plan target. There will also be an increase in the number of part-time officers in Coleraine - they will be assisting the Community Policing Teams and meeting with forums to discuss issues.
Apr 05
Question: The Coleraine area attracts large numbers of visitors every year and a substantial amount of money is spent on improvements in the various parts of the Borough. However, there have been several incidents of vandalism in Coleraine town centre with young people removing plants and flowers from the flowerbeds; and skateboarders are constantly intimidating pedestrians in the town centre. As this is an area of the Borough that is covered by CCTV, what are the police doing to deal with these issues and what level and type of punishment is given to perpetrators?
Coleraine resident
Response: I am aware that the image of Coleraine town centre is important in attracting people to visit this commercial area. It is also important that they feel safe when doing so and the Town Centre Partnership and others should receive commendable recognition for their efforts in this area. It is unfortunate that there are individuals who fail to recognise this and cause unwarranted damage to property. Since January 2005 fifteen incidents of criminal damage have been reported to police within the area covered by CCTV. Seven of these crimes have been cleared resulting in two prosecutions; one report to the police Youth Diversion Office and the four remaining incidents are the subject of ongoing investigations. One of these fifteen incidents refers to the damage of shrubbery and enquiries are ongoing to identify the offender. CCTV has played an important role in the detection of offenders and I am committed to ensuring that it is used effectively in combating these and other types of crimes.
The issue of skateboarders has also come to police attention. In 2004 four incidents involving skateboarders were reported in the town centre and to date this year there have been no such incidents recorded. If detected by police those involved will receive advice and warning unless a more serious aspect of their behaviour is uncovered. I can assure the public that police officers on the beat within the town centre are aware of the concerns of the public and hazards caused by skateboarders and that such behaviour will receive their attention.
I would urge the community throughout the district to report all incidents of criminal damage or individuals acting in an anti-social manner to the police and I will ensure that appropriate measures are taken to reduce these problems for the benefit of the community and our visitors.
Question: Thousands of people visit the County Hall to tax their motor vehicles and the grounds have been attractively laid out. Sadly these grounds are being destroyed by vandals who gather every weekend to indulge in drinking and drug use, many of them are underage drinkers. They scatter and break bottles on the pathways, they have broken small grounds lights, ripped up plants and have stolen recent garden furniture, eg garden benches. Visitors are given a very poor impression to the town I love so well”. Why are the police not lying in wait for these hooligans when they know that the two worst nights are Friday and Saturday?
Concerned Grandparent
Response: I am well aware of the efforts of Coleraine Borough Council, Coleraine Strategic Partnership and other agencies to maintain and improve the amenities in the Waterside area that benefit our community and visitors. I am also aware that there is a minority of individuals who are intent on undermining these efforts by their continuance of anti-social behaviour acts in the vicinity of Coleraine County Hall.
I can assure the public that the local community police officers are aware of this problem. These police officers have and will continue to be proactive in dealing with this problem. To date no evidence of drug use has been detected. Within the previous two weeks community police officers have seized alcohol and spoken to a number of young people in this area and these police officers will continue to focus their attention on this problem until it has been resolved.
As in all areas of this police district I intend to focus resources in dealing with alcohol related offences and anti-social behaviour. I would encourage all sections of the community to work in partnership with police to combat these issues so we may all enjoy our local amenities.
December 2004
Question: It is well documented that the Portrush sector has 40% of the crime in the Coleraine Borough but has only a small proportion of police resources to deal with the problems. How does this sector compare to other similar sectors in Northern Ireland in relation to both crime levels and available resources to deal with them?
Portrush Resident
Response: I believe that there is uniqueness to the Sector area encompassing Portrush, Portstewart, Portballintrae and the surrounding rural areas. This renders it impracticable to compare it to other sector areas within Northern Ireland. Within Portrush there are various major attractions including two large nightclubs that attract people from all over Ireland each week. This influx of people can create policing and safety issues both for residents and visitors alike. To meet these demands I have to provide adequate policing resources for this sector whilst also taking into consideration the policing demands of the other sectors within Coleraine DCU.
As a consequence of these considerations I have allocated 2 sergeants, 10 constables and 8 part-time constables to the local community policing team to deal with the community policing issues arising within this sector. Other district resources such as response policing support these officers and they provide a 24 hour response to emergencies and additional patrolling within the Portrush area on a regular basis. In addition to this I have other police resources including a motorcycle unit, crime team, tactical support groups and roads policing performing operations within this sector.
Question: What efforts does the PSNI make to interact with schools at both primary and secondary level?
Local Parent
Response: In addition to the local policing issues, the PSNI has a policy to interact with schools at both primary and secondary levels. This policy provides education to pupils on Citizenship and Safety Education. Police officers who have undertaken a recognised teacher training related course through Stranmillis College to deliver lessons within schools. These lessons incorporate subjects such as: -
•Crime prevention, vandalism and the role of the police
•Personal safety, pedestrian safety, cycle safety and public transport safety
•Human rights, responsibilities and dealing with differences
•Young people, The Law and consequences
•Health Education relating to alcohol, drugs and solvents
All schools within Coleraine District have been afforded and availed of this service. This service and lessons are focused towards the needs of the schools and pupils after analysis of referrals to the Youth Diversion Office. I am committed to ensuring that this continues in the future.
October 2004
Question: How many convictions have been attained as a direct result of evidence obtained by CCTV cameras in Coleraine and Portrush?
Local Trader
Response: Police do not maintain statistics in relation to conviction rates and therefore I am unable to provide a definite answer to this question. I can however state that on information supplied by Safer Towns Ltd that between December 2001 and May 2004 340 persons have been made amenable for offences in the area covered by CCTV in Coleraine. Between March 2003 and May 2004 47 persons have been made amenable for offences captured within the Portrush area.
Police will continue to utilise CCTV when available to provide and enhance evidence against offenders within this district.