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.