Down District Policing Partnership (DDPP) area covers 64,400 hectares with a population of 64,000. The three largest towns are Downpatrick, Ballynahinch and Newcastle. In addition there are eighteen sizeable settlements with a dispersed rural population.
The Police District Command Area is made up of 3 sectors:
Downpatrick Sector - Downpatrick, Ardglass, Ballyhornan, Ballykinler, Bishopscourt, Killough, Strangford
Newcastle Sector – Newcastle, Clough, Dundrum, Kilcoo
Rowallane Sector – Ballynahinch, Annacloy, Crossgar, Drumaness, Killyleagh, Kilmore, Loughinisland,Saintfield, Shrigley.
The District Commander has 304 police officers and fifty five support staff available to deliver a policing service in Down District. The Annual policing budget for the District is £9.9 millions, most of which is spent on staffing costs. During 2002-03 there were 5,245 recorded crimes.
The views of the community on policing were obtained through a District wide community survey. The results are reflected in this strategy document. The survey provides an evaluation of the current situation, an aid to future consultation and a basis for identifying Partnership action.
The survey listed the five main public concerns as anti social behaviour, under age drinking, car crime, burglary, and speeding.
The Partnership was set up under the Policing (N.I.) Act 2000. Members have recognised both the challenge and the importance of their roles and responsibilities in relation to Down District. For the first time it allows local people the statutory right to influence local policing. The legislation established clear roles and responsibilities and this provides the framework for the activities that are undertaken by Down DPP;
a) provide views to the police District Commander and to the Policing Board on any matter concerning the policing of the District
b) monitor the performance of the police in carrying out:
i. the Annual Policing Plan as it relates to the District
ii. the local Policing Plan for the District
c) make arrangements for obtaining the views of the public about matters
concerning:
i. the policing of the District
ii. the co-operation of the public with the police in preventing crime
d)act as a general forum for discussion and consultation on matters affecting the
policing of the district.
This strategic plan identifies therefore specific actions which will help deliver on those responsibilities.
These actions will be monitored and reported back to the Partnership using a Planning Action and Monitoring Template.
The Partnership has raised the profile of community based policing in Down District. The latest survey indicated that 63% of those surveyed had heard of the Partnership. The meetings in public held across the District have stimulated interest in both local and district wide issues. The partnership has identified concerns over specific types of crime and anti-social behaviour. This has resulted in subsequent police operations as a direct response.
- The key priorities emerging as a consequence of this Strategy are:
- Informed discussion on priorities for policing Down District
- Active consultation with community and PSNI on Policing Plan for the District
- Increased monitoring of performance of PSNI in delivering policing plan
- Set up network of policing focus groups
- Preparation of Communications Strategy
The Policing Board (N.I.) has stressed that policing with the community and working in partnership with the community must be at the heart of policing in Northern Ireland.
The DDPP embodies these principles and has reflected this emphasis in its mission statement.
“To reduce crime and the fear of crime in Down District by encouraging full community involvement in support of impartial, acceptable policing.”
The vision is the “ideal” state that we aim to achieve for our District through our actions and the cooperation of others. The DDPP vision is for:
“A peaceful Down District with low rates of crime and anti-social behaviour and an effective policing service supported by all.
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