In 2008 North Down DPP established 2 sub groups with specific areas of responsibility as contained in the Strategic and Operational Plans for the Partnership. A Community Sub group was established with the remit to undertake Secondary Consultation, Gaining Co-Operation of the Public, Acting as a forum for discussion and identify policing issues.
The Membership of that group was as follows:
- Mr Varkey Abraham
- Mrs Lorna Anderson
- Mres Eileen Bell
- Mrs Karen Keers
- Mrs Isabelle Weir
- Councillor Henry
- Councillor Chambers
- Alderman Fitzsimons
- Councillor Graham
- Councillor Hill
When considering the consultation process in 2007 the previoussub group re-examined the results of the NISRA survey in 2006. North Down DPP Members. This research represented 0.9% of the community and there was significant under representation from the16-25 age group.
North Down DPP also undertook to consult with as many members of the community as possible in accordance with its consultation strategy.
As part of its secondary consultation process correspondence was issued to over 800 organisations held on a North Down DPP database. Community groups and organisations were asked to contact the DPP Manager if they wished to discuss their concerns on crime and policing in North Down. A large number of responses were received and a number of subsequent meetings held.
All of North Down (14 organisations, 217 individuals)
- St Vincent De Paul Society
- Institute of Advanced Motorists
- Bangor Pool Team
- Local Strategy Partnership
- North Down & Ards Women’s Aid
- North Down Housing Network
- Mayor Of North Down
- Neighbourhood Watch Co-Ordinators
- Response from Consultation Cards
- Bloomfield Shopping Centre
- Cruse
- Northern Ireland Ambulance Service
- Bangor Rotary Club
- Bike Safe
Abbey area (1 organisation, 15 individuals)
Ballygrainey Senior Fellowship
Ballyholme & Groomsport area (4 organisations, 28 individuals)
- Resident from Waverly Drive
- Spar Supermarket at Ashbury Shops
- Young people from Ballymagee Area
- Meeting in public in Groomsport Boat House
Bangor West area (3 organisations, 55 people)
- Public Discussion Forum in Kilcooley
- Carnlea Golf Club
- Carnlea Residents Association and Carnlea Neighbourhood Watch
Holywood area (2 organisations, 32 individuals)
- Holywood Parish Mothers Union
- Priory College
Older Persons (6 organisations, 257 individuals)
- Thursday Club
- Community Safety Consultation Event
- Age Concern
- North Down & Ards Chest Heart and Stroke Association
- North Down Over 50’s Forum Management Committee
- Age Concern Management Committee
Young People (3 organisations, 34 individuals)
- 12th Down Scout Group
- North Down Athletics Club
- Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College
Persons with a Disability (2 organisations, 24 individuals)
- Positive Futures
- ND Visually Impaired Bowlers
Persons of different Ethnic Origin (2 organisation, 9 individuals)
- World Wide Women
- Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities.
Persons of different Sexual Orientation (1 organisation, 14 individuals)
- North Down & Ards LGBT Group
In total North Down DPP undertook secondary consultation with approximately 685 members of the community in North Down through a total of 38 organisations for the 2007 public consultation process.
Other Considerations
- Events attended
- Questions received in Writing.
- Issues raised at meetings in public and public discussion forums
- Other Research
Policing Priorities for 2007/08
On reflection of the comments received from NISRA, and the secondary consultation undertaken by North Down DPP the priority areas for the 2007/2008 North Down policing plan should include:
- Youths causing annoyance
- Underage drinking
- Domestic burglary
- Roads policing including parking issues
- Anti social behaviour
- Criminal damage
In terms of resources it was agreed that North Down District Command Unit resources should also focus on:
- Increased Police presence
- More communication with the community especially the victims of crime
- Improved response times in relation to non-emergency calls
- Improved call management system
- Police patrols in the ‘right’ areas
- More Police surgeries / clinics
- Clarification as to the opening times of Holywood Police Station
Consultation with Bangor Senior Gateway Club in September 2005.
For a copy of the North Down DPP Public Consultation Report 2007 - click here
For a copy of the North Down DPP Public Consultation Report 2006 - click here
For a copy of the North Down DPP Public Consultation Report 2005 click here
For details of how to become involved in the process please contact
Alternatively you may contact the DPP Manager in writing at the following address:
Gillian Cassidy
North Down DPP
Town Hall
The Castle
Bangor
Co Down
BT20 4BT
Tel:02891 278054
Fax:02891 275178