Mela 2010

I was delighted on Sunday to have been invited to attend the Belfast Mela in Botanic Gardens. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has been associated with and a sponsor of the Mela since its inception four years ago.

The word Mela means ‘to meet’ and what an exciting array of colour, scents, food and diversity were on display on Sunday. Recently so many of the news headlines have portrayed images of hatred but this was a fantastic example of everything tolerant and positive about the future of Belfast and Northern Ireland.

Over 30,000 people descended on the gardens at Botanic to celebrate Northern Ireland’s rich cultural background. People from all over the City of Belfast and further afield, from all backgrounds and cultures, ages and communities coming together to enjoy a varied programme of music, food and dance.

Indeed as I was leaving there was a huge queue of people waiting patiently at the gates of the park to get in, such was the interest in the event.

As I have said many times before our diversity is something to be celebrated and not feared. The Indian community first started arriving in Northern Ireland in the 1920’s and whilst the community is relatively small, the Mela has become the biggest multi-cultural event in Northern Ireland, attracting stalls and performers from all over the world.

It was my pleasure to have had the opportunity to join with them to celebrate everything they have contributed to life in Northern Ireland.

I also took the opportunity to visit the PSNI and Unite Against Hate stand. Unite Against Hate is a partnership initiative to promote diversity and create a zero tolerance of hate crime and discrimination.

If you would like to add your support, you can find out more at: HYPERLINK "http://www.uniteagainsthate.org.uk/" http://www.uniteagainsthate.org.uk/

The more people who become actively involved the better. For example, if everyone who visited the Mela on Sunday became proactively involved, think of the difference that could make.

My sincere thanks to all who supported the Belfast Mela and especially to Artsekta for bringing such a beacon of hope to the City of Belfast.

Dealing with the past is the responsibility of everyone

The terrible events of the 31^st July 1972 in Claudy have been the focus of attention over the past days.

The regret expressed by former Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid, on behalf of the PSNI, when he met with the families of those injured and killed, in December 2002, has not diminished in the intervening years.

At that meeting ACC Kinkaid briefed the families on the findings of a police review of the original investigation. Afterwards ACC Kinkaid said “it is clear that the relatives of those who died in the bomb attack in Claudy village and those who were injured have not received justice. I regret this very much and in particular that opportunities to arrest and interview all of the suspects were not taken."

I wholeheartedly agree with what ACC Kinkaid said. The Royal Ulster Constabulary didn’t always get it right, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland has made mistakes too.

We police in a very different context today, and this is in no way intended to make excuses for the past. Our aim is to deliver a personal, professional and protective police service, which ensures that the events in Claudy are not repeated.

No Police Service could ever say that they will always get it right. But it will not be for the want of trying. And it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the bravery and sacrifice of so many police officers and police staff who in the midst of the unrelenting violence of the 1970’s were killed or injured delivering a police service, trying to keep all communities safe.

In the months and years to come, there will no doubt be difficult and challenging times as Northern Ireland tries to reconcile itself with its past.

Through the establishment of the Historical Enquiries Team (HET), we are attempting to facilitate a process to recover the truth and ensure that those individuals who have questions receive the answers they seek, uncomfortable as those answers may be.

That work will continue. We would encourage anyone with information in relation to Claudy, or indeed any historical event linked to the Troubles, to come forward to the HET.

Neighbourhood connections can work together

I had the pleasure of patrolling the streets of Downpatrick last Friday afternoon with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team. As I patrolled I had the opportunity to speak to numerous members of the public, local representatives and business owners.

What was abundantly clear to me was that the people of Downpatrick want a visible Police Service who know and understand the needs of those who live in, work in and visit Downpatrick. I saw first hand a team of officers who have a passion for doing exactly that.

Recent events have very clearly caused much concern within the Downpatrick area, and across Northern Ireland, and it was very clear that anyone I spoke to had absolutely no time for those who continue to inflict acts of terrorism on individuals and communities.

I was disgusted by the indiscriminate act which could have so easily have taken the lives of three children in Lurgan on Saturday afternoon. Those who carried out this attack showed a complete disregard for the safety of anyone who happened to be in this area at that time, and it is only by pure good fortune that no-one was killed. It would appear that there are no boundaries to their recklessness.

I very much welcome and greatly appreciate the public show of support, on Saturday, for my colleague who terrorists tried to murder in Kilkeel last week. Events like this further serve to isolate those responsible and demonstrate the lack of support for those who attempt to carry out such acts of terror.

The Police Service is continuing to raise its game, to tackle head on, those whose intent it is to cause terror. You will see over the next days and weeks an increased visible police presence as we work to prevent, frustrate and detect further terrorist activity. Already this year we have arrested and charged 40 people in relation to dissident republican activity . This will continue.

We cannot be everywhere all the time but you can, and must, help us by being our eyes and ears in your local area. Look out for your friends and neighbours, and immediately report anything suspicious. Those people who have information and choose not to disclose it need to seriously examine their conscience.

We are absolutely committed to playing our active part in defeating terrorism but we cannot work alone. More than ever, we need, rely on, and must have your active support.