Personal policing in Foyle

I spent yesterday out and about in Derry/Londonderry.

In the morning I joined the Policing Board Vice-Chair, Gearóid Ó hEára for a walk about in the City and had the opportunity to meet with a number of community workers and visit several community centres.

I also had the chance to speak to some of those people who are working along with local police on the ground in an effort to challenge and reduce paramilitary assaults and shootings. The vast majority of people across the City are quite rightly appalled at the level of these attacks and the callous and barbaric nature of them.

The Police Service have also recently launched a campaign which includes a full review of all investigative leads, a co-ordinated approach with Crime Operations and District policing to disrupt the activities of those believed to be involved in this criminality and we are renewing our appeal for public assistance through the social media platform.

You can find out more about this at http://www.psni.police.uk/index/updates/safer_communities.htm

In the afternoon I had the opportunity to meet with officers who were targeted last week in a bomb attack. I was greatly encouraged by their resilience and determination to continue to serve the local community and tackle local crime. Their desire to do so has in no way been diminished by the cowardly acts of those who attempted to murder them.

I then went on a beat patrol in the City Centre with the District Commander, Chief Superintendent Stephen Martin and members of the local Neighbourhood Policing Team, before calling into St. Columb’s Cathedral to visit the Dean, the Very Reverend William Morton.

I always enjoy visiting the Maiden City. There is a real buzz and optimism about it, making it very difficult to understand why a small number of people would wish to terrorise the local community, when the vast majority of people have so clearly indicated their desire to live in peace.

Despite the negative headlines of the past few weeks, it is very clear that this is a City that wants to move forward and not focus on the past. Your Police Service is determined to play our part in helping the City to do this.

With the full support of everyone, local police will continue to ensure that the community receives the very best personal, professional and protective policing we can provide, so Derry can become a City of Hope for a brighter future for all.