Féile an Phobail / Festival of the People

I have just returned from taking part in one of the Féile an Phobail or Festival of the People events, taking place across West Belfast over the next few weeks.

'Bread and Roses' was a small diverse and intimate event, attended mostly by women, to discuss the achievements of women in their struggle for equality and the barriers still to overcome.

I had the opportunity to take part in a debate and discussion alongside Martina Anderson MLA. Whilst police and politicians will often have to agree to disagree in terms of progressing equality for everyone, Martina and I clearly agree in many areas.

I really enjoy any opportunity to sit down with local people and hear first hand the issues which concern them most, particularly in relation to policing.

In events of this type you would expect that the range of people with very diverse political views would voice some very strong opinions about policing and indeed at the event there were questions about 50:50 recruitment, 'plastic bullets' and the retention of officers and staff of different religions and genders.

But actually there is more in common than that which would divide us. People raised concerns about the economy, poverty and how this links to crime and how people who have child care and carer responsibilities can be facilitated to balance the pressures of home with the need to work.

These are important conversations and whilst the Police Service, the public and private sectors have made significant progress there is absolutely no room for complacency.