Countdown begins to 2013 World Police and Fire Games

It’s hard to believe that the World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) is only 16 months away.

This week an international delegation from WPFG is visiting Northern Ireland to see for themselves how preparations are progressing. There is much talk about the Olympic Games this summer in London but the WPFG will be Northern Ireland's very own Olympics – a sporting event on a scale never seen before, and the third biggest sporting event in the world.

Yesterday afternoon I met with the WPFG Federation President, Mike Graham along with Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilin, Dame Mary Peters, Peter Craig (NIFRS) and Max Murray (NIPS) to chat with the media about the progress towards the delivery of the Games. With the prospect of 10,000 competitors, from over 70 countries, arriving in Belfast along with 15,000 supporters this event has the potential to generate up to £15m for the local economy.

This is just one of a number of very significant and special events happening in Northern Ireland in 2013. I look forward to welcoming colleagues and their families from across the globe to Northern Ireland and to the opportunity to showcase the excellent facilities, attractions and hospitality that Northern Ireland is renowned for.

The opportunities for Northern Ireland created by the Games will extend as a legacy long after they finish and I look forward to seeing Northern Ireland put on the map for all the right reasons.

You can get more information on the Games by accessing http://www.2013wpfg.com/

National Stalking Awareness Day

Today, 18 April, is National Stalking Awareness Day and the key message is 'Taking Stalking Seriously'.

Stalking is a term commonly used to refer to unwanted and obsessive attention by an individual or group to another person. Whilst the word 'stalking' does not appear in law there is legislation which covers the behaviour commonly referred to as 'stalking'. It can take the form of physical or emotional abuse and may be carried out by someone who is known or unknown to the victim. It may take place directly or indirectly through mediums such as social media.

National Stalking Awareness Day is run in conjunction with the National Stalking Helpline - Freephone 0808 802 0300. If you feel that you are in immediate danger you should call 999. Further information and advice is also available at www.stalkinghelpline.org

Stalking is a serious crime and affects millions of people across the United Kingdom every year - it's not funny, it's not flattering and it can be dangerous.

The important thing for anyone suffering in this way is that help and advice is available. The Police Service of Northern Ireland will respond to any complaints seriously and where criminal offences have been identified, take appropriate action, provide advice on who can help and highlight other civil legislation options which may be available.

If you think that you are, or may be the victim of stalking, there are some very simple measures that you can take to help protect yourself.

• Consider carrying a personal alarm.


• Vary your daily routine and take different routes to and from work.


• Know where the nearest safe location is, for instance a police station.


• Talk to your local police Crime Prevention Officer about using CCTV and/or installing an alarm in your home.


• Ensure all your doors and windows are locked before you leave home or go to sleep.


• Get your computer checked for malware and key logging software.


• Change your passwords frequently and don’t use the same password for everything.


• Limit the amount of information you share about yourself on social networking sites and check your privacy settings.


• Keep your anti-virus software up to date.


• Report any stalking activity on websites to the site administrators.

The important thing to do is not to engage with your stalker but to speak to someone, the police, family member or friend, colleague, your manager or phone the helpline.

The longer the 'stalking' continues the more serious, persistent and frequent it is likely to become. Remember help is available, but you must ask.

Safer Streets

I was delighted to have been invited to attend a meeting of the Safer Streets forum in the New Lodge in North Belfast, yesterday (2 April) .

As Deputy Chief Constable, I welcome the opportunity to meet with community groups to find out how they are working together with police to address those local issues which matter most to local people.

I must say that I was very impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment of everyone who attended - police officers, councillors, statutory and community representatives and ordinary residents, doing extraordinary things. This is an example of the community working with their local neighbourhood policing team, in an area where a few years ago this would just not have been possible.

There were many examples of how the forum is working to tackle anti social behaviour, drugs, criminality and the fear of crime. Everyone is pulling together and playing their part - big or small - in making the people of the New Lodge safer and feel safer.

A key strength of the forum was very clear, tangible outcomes which each of the partners and members reported back - this is a group of people who are doers rather than just talkers.

I am very grateful to Councillor Conor Maskey and the members of the Forum for the invitation to attend yesterday's meeting.

For me, it is a very encouraging example of just how effective Policing with the Community can be.