Get Home Safe this New Year

As Christmas seems almost as far away as ever many people will be preparing to celebrate the arrival of 2013.

  

If you are planning to go out over the New Year period we want you to be safe.  Whilst the risk of becoming a victim of crime is low there are a number of simple steps that you can take to make sure that you keep safe.  Many incidents are opportunistic in nature and therefore your actions can make a real difference.

If you are outdoors:

• Stay in bright, well-lit and busy areas.
• Look and act confident.
• Get a personal attack alarm. They are available from DIY stores or ask your local Crime Prevention Officer.
• If you are in a club or pub watch your drink - do not leave it unattended and if you have to leave for any reason, stay with friends.
• Have definite arrangements for getting home and stay together in a group. 

When carrying a bag or valuables:

• Carry your bag close to you with the clasp facing inwards.
• If possible carry your things in a small bag across your body, under your outer coat.
• Spread your valuables around.  For example, carry your house keys in your pocket, your phone in your bag and your money in your jacket.
• Try not to advertise your valuables, mobile phone, laptop, MP3 player, jewellery, watches.
• If someone tries to take something and you feel in danger, let it go.

If you are alone and think that you being followed:

• You can check if someone is following you by crossing the street – more than once, if necessary.
• Go to the nearest busy place or well-lit area and call the police on 999.
• Avoid enclosed spaces, e.g. an enclosed telephone box, as you could become trapped inside.
• If you are in immediate danger and there are other people about, call out for help.

There is more advice on our website http://www.psni.police.uk/crime-prevention.htm

It is also important to remember our 'One Punch' campaign.  Since 2004, 20 people have died as a result of One Punch attacks and many more have been seriously injured.

With just One Punch, lives have been destroyed and families’ lives have been wrecked.  The majority of these incidents are fuelled by alcohol and can have a devastating impact on the victim and their family. The offender will likely face a murder or manslaughter charge and have a criminal record for the rest of their life, this type of conviction also imposes restrictions on their ability to travel.  One moment of madness can have drastic consequences.

Be assured that we will have officers on duty across your area helping to keep you safe but we do need your help. 

Have a great New Year, but most importantly, Get Home Safe.

A personal Christmas appeal

It is disappointing that just over one week to Christmas that I find myself blogging about protests, threats and disorder on our streets.  And whilst it is not my place to get drawn into the politics of decisions around flags and emblems, inevitably these decisions can have a very significant impact on your Police Service.

Over the past few weeks the officers and staff of the Police Service of Northern Ireland have been working tirelessly to try and facilitate peaceful protest and appropriately deal with those intent on violence, while at the same time, ensuring that everyone going about their normal business making Christmas preparations can do so safely. 

In addition we have also had to contend with the series of threats and attacks on our elected representatives, which I absolutely and utterly condemn.  The Police Service will continue to work closely with each of these members of our community to advise and support them.

I am appalled and condemn the attacks which have injured police officers and in particular, the disgraceful attempted murder of my colleague in East Belfast, when a petrol bomb was thrown into her police car.

Our officers and staff, like everyone else, have preparations to make in the run up to Christmas and unfortunately these recent events have meant longer hours for many, and family events being missed.

 Despite all these challenges, we have the responsibility to continue providing the normal 24/7 policing service. Our 'Season's Greetings' operation is ongoing across Northern Ireland and all sorts of advice on how to stay safe and avoid becoming the victim of crime this Christmas is available on our website www.psni.police.uk/index/crime-prevention/personal/personal-safetywww.psni.police.uk/index/crime-prevention/personal/personal-safety

All of these recent events come at a cost. Not just personal and financial for policing, but the economic cost to those businesses who were counting on a much needed Christmas boost.  I have been listening to media reports about reductions in footfall in our towns and cities, accommodation cancellations and all this has the potential to have a much longer economic impact way beyond the current protests.

I appeal to everyone involved, or thinking of becoming involved in these protests to be responsible and to think about the longer term impact of their actions.  

I welcome the joint statement of the First and deputy First Ministers and ask those within our Assembly and communities, who have influence, to give responsible leadership.

I ask young people who may see this as a chance to become involved in disorder to think carefully. Your actions can have a life long impact on your ability to go onto further education, seek employment or to travel.  If you become involved there is a very good chance that you will be caught and dealt with appropriately.

This is not a situation of our making, but I want to reassure you that your Police Service will do everything it can in the days ahead to ensure that, in so far as possible, everyone can go about their business in safety and with minimum disruption. 

Despite everything, Belfast and Northern Ireland is still a relatively safe place and by everyone taking sensible precautions, respecting the law and taking responsibility for their own actions we can all contribute to a safe and peaceful Christmas.

Appealing for calm in the festive season

I had the privilege of attending a lunch this afternoon at the Titanic Signature Building in Belfast, hosted by the Ireland Fund in honour of US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton.


It is perhaps timely if not a little ironic, in a week that has seen further public disorder and protests on our streets, that Secretary of State Clinton was here to reaffirm the US administration's commitment to peace in Northern Ireland and also to acknowledge how much progress has been made.


This is a time when we would anticipate that Belfast and other cities and towns should be buzzing with pre Christmas shopping. Traders have had a tough year and many rely on this time of the year to survive. I know that issues such as flags and emblems are contentious and sensitive but with this high profile international visit underway I'm also conscious of how Northern Ireland is being perceived internationally and by the traders who have travelled specifically to Northern Ireland to take part in the City's Christmas Market.


The last thing any of us needs right now is images of thugs throwing barriers and missiles at police in protective public order equipment, and premises and homes of democratically elected representatives being attacked. Those who undertake such violence only serve to put jobs on the line, divert reduced finances away from other, more important issues and divert police resources from working in the very heart of communities to tackle serious harm and keep people safe.


We acknowledge the right of those to undertake peaceful protests and where it is lawful we will uphold this right. But with this right comes an equal responsibility regarding the safety consequences of such protests at a time when cities and towns are at their busiest. I appeal for those with influence in the community to help bring to an end to the protests and disorder.


We are committed to playing our part in a safe festive season. Where there are protests or disorder, we will seek to minimise the impact to the wider community to ensure that everyone, in so far as possible, is allowed to go about their normal business with minimum disruption.