Monday 9 December 2013

Keeping you safe this Christmas


I haven't updated my blog for some months. This is sadly a reflection of recent events and pressures on the Police Service which have required a more formal response from the Chief Constable, and other senior colleagues, than that which a blog provides.

Over the past year the demands placed on your Police Service have been unprecedented. The gun attacks in recent days are just two examples of where individuals have tried to murder police officers who have been out delivering a local policing service in communities. Be assured that these attacks and the others before them will not deter us from providing the policing service that the vast majority of people have asked for and desire. Indeed he officers concerned were back on duty the next day, and I pay tribute to their enormous courage. The attacks were clearly directed towards the police, but they showed blatant and callous disregard for the community and could have easily resulted in tragedy in terms of both police and civilian casualties. Whilst these recent attacks are fresh in everyone's minds, again I appeal to anyone who knows anything about these and indeed previous attacks to come forward and assist us to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.


We have also welcomed the further talks being chaired by Dr Richard Haass. We acknowledge that the Haass talks focus on difficult and sensitive areas but these talks present a significant opportunity which we all have a responsibility to grasp. From a policing perspective we know only too well about the impact of tensions on the issues of the past, flags and parades. Every day we dedicate huge resources to these unresolved matters, resources which we would much prefer to focus on preventing serious harm to individuals across all communities. I suspect that members of the public would much rather their local Neighbourhood Police Officer for example was visible in his or her local community than having to provide additional patrols to thwart terrorist attacks or to police interfaces to keep communities apart.
 
I had the opportunity to patrol in Belfast City Centre recently and it was reassuring to see that despite the attempted car bomb people were not going to be deterred from heading out to undertake their Christmas shopping. And despite the concerns around the recent flag protest anniversary events, which mostly passed off peacefully, shoppers were still out and about in the City Centre. The Closing of the Gates Parade in Derry also passed off largely without incident and this is a credit to everyone involved.

Let me reassure you that we will do everything possible to keep you safe and make you feel safe this Christmas. Whether you are out and about in your local City or town shopping, driving on the roads or out socialising we will work to ensure that all those who are going about their daily routine lawfully are protected.

In return we also ask you for your support. Protect your home by keeping it secure and use simple and sensible crime prevention measures to protect your property and purchases. If you are out, remember do not drink and drive, and do not leave items visible in your vehicle. If you out socialising please make sure that you do not consume too much alcohol and plan in advance how you are going to get home safely.

I wish you all a safe and peaceful Christmas season.

Friday 16 August 2013

Looking back on the friendliest and best Games ever

There have been many very memorable events in my policing career, but the 10 days of the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) are a definite highlight.

I have received many letters and messages of support from local and international competitors, their friends and family members, colleagues and members of the public. Apart from the shameful disorder in Belfast last Friday evening, the Games should be celebrated as one of the most positive recent events in Northern Ireland's history.

I want to say, as Chair of the World Police and Fire Games Board, how much I and everyone taking part appreciated how the Northern Ireland public welcomed our visitors, embraced them and supported them. Many of them have spoken of their desire to come back again. In the words of Mike Graham, President of the World Police and Fire Games Federation, it truly was 'the friendliest and best Games ever'.

I have to pay tribute to the work of the WPFG Planning Team and of course to our patron Dame Mary Peters who has been such an amazing ambassador for the Games. You only had to listen and see the reception Dame Mary received everywhere she went, to understand why she was such a fantastic advocate for the Games.

I was delighted also to see how successful my Police Service of Northern Ireland colleagues and the other members of Team NI were. It was a great opportunity for members of the police, fire and prisons services to come together in sport instead of the often challenging professional circumstances that bring them together. Team NI netted a very commendable 54 Gold, 47 Silver and 40 Bronze medals, placing us 8th on the medal table out of 67.

I also had the pleasure of competing with a German colleague in the Indoor Mixed Rowing at the Waterfront Hall and whilst we didn't bring home a medal for Team NI, it was a fantastic experience and one which I will not forget. I have also developed many new international friendships.

We often talk about the 'legacy' of major events such as these Games but question what the actual benefit is in real terms. I have no doubt, based on my experiences of the past few weeks that the international reputation of Northern Ireland has been greatly enhanced as a place of welcome and beauty - A wonderful place that people want to come back to.

As a citizen of Northern Ireland, born and bred in the great City of Belfast, it saddens me that our worldwide reputation of warmly welcoming strangers, was jeopardised and in stark contrast to the naked sectarianism which culminated in the totally reprehensible violence and attacks on police officers last Friday.

Everyone must work together to ensure that there is no repetition of this violence. You can be assured that your police service will be playing its part in this regard.

Thursday 1 August 2013


Welcoming the start of the World Police & Fire Games 2013

I have spent the last two days at the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) pre conference at Titanic in Belfast. It was a privilege forBelfast to host over 200 local and international visitors to discuss ‘Partnerships in Safety; Building Safe & Just Societies’.

It’s hard to believe that almost six years after Northern Ireland bid to host the World Police and Fire Games, that the day of its opening is finally here.  All we need is the sun to come back for a few hours!

Over the next ten days, nearly 7,000 competitors, from 66 countries will compete in 56 sports across 41 venues.  The atmosphere and anticipation are absolutely fabulous and if you have been in and around Belfast City over the past few days, the streets are alive with local people in WPFG regalia alongside international competitors and their supporters wearing crested team clothing from across the globe. 

I have already visited a number of locations to speak to the WPFG staff, who have been working around the clock to deliver the Games – a number of them have been involved right from the bidding stage.  I have also spoken to many of the 3,500 volunteers who have given of their time, free of charge, to help us make sure that all the competitors are supported and assisted and that all the sporting events run as planned.  I want to particularly thank them for the fantastic work which they are doing – without them the Games simply would not have been possible. 

If the Ice Hockey, which has been running from last week, is anything to go by, everyone including our competitors and spectators are in for a real treat.  I am really looking forward to getting to visit as many of the events as I can over the coming days and also to taking part in a few of them myself!

The Games is just one of a number of high profile events which Northern Ireland has hosted over the past few years.  This is yet another opportunity to put Northern Ireland and Belfast on the international stage for all the right reasons. Over the next few weeks I hope that you will make all our visitors very welcome..

All Games information is available on the WPFG website at www.2013wpfg.com where you can select a sport and find out everything you need to know including a detailed schedule of each event and a venue map.  You can also follow the Games on Facebook www.facebook.com/2013WPFG

So why not come along and show your support to your local police officers, fire fighters and prison officers as they compete for Team Northern Ireland.  This is your chance to experience the third largest sporting event in the world and the first ever time the Games have taken place in the United Kingdom

Spectating is free and there are some unique events you will not find in any other Games, so why not plan to be a part of the ‘friendliest Games’ ever.                 

Thursday 18 July 2013

Public disorder will solve nothing


I had very much hoped that I would not be blogging about public disorder six days after the 12th July.
The role of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in policing sensitive parades is not to question or query the determinations of the Parades Commission but to uphold the rule of law, and to police the determinations proportionately and resolutely.  Thankfully the severity of the disorder has reduced but every night since the 12th your Police Service, supported by colleagues who have joined us under mutual aid, have been faced with disorder to some degree. 

Seventy one police officers have been injured, 3 of whom are from GB.  Attacks on police officers are totally unacceptable and I thank those, from all quarters, who have publicly condemned these.   Each of these attacks has a human cost to the officers and to their families and colleagues.  A range of missiles, including blast bombs and 120 petrol bombs, have been used against police.  We have arrested sixty eight people and I was appalled to be told that amongst these were a 12 and a 13 year old child - I appeal to parents to be responsible and know where their children are at all times, in particular late at night and during periods of disorder.

The courage and professionalism of the officers who have been engaged on the front line has been outstanding.  There are those who have criticised the police tactics and in such cases where people feel a genuine sense of grievance, I would encourage them to report their complaint to the Police Ombudsman.   However when people are stripping walls of coping stones, climbing onto landrovers and attempting to thrown these down onto the top of police officers it is entirely reasonable to take proportionate steps to protect life.   Police officers have human rights too.   You may have seen the police equipment we put on display to the media a few days ago which showed the damage to police helmets and shields.

I want to pay particular tribute to our GB colleagues who have assisted us under mutual aid arrangements.  I have personally spoke, as has the Chief Constable, to many of them over the past week.  They have in some respect been making history as they are the first ever deployment of mutual aid to Northern Ireland, apart from G8. They have worked alongside PSNI colleagues and their contribution has been outstanding.  Ironically this is the first time many of them have been in Northern Ireland and the number who have said that, apart from the disorder,  they have enjoyed a warm  and sincere welcome and  that they have been amazed by the beautiful countryside  to the extent that they intend to come back and visit at some stage in the future.

Over the next few days, and in the run up to Saturday, I very much hope that tensions will reduce and that those of influence will re-double their efforts to ensure that the public disorder ends .  I thank all those involved in working to reduce tensions in sensitive areas.  This will help ensure that your police officers can return to their normal duties and concentrate on those issues which matter most to communities.

Public disorder will solve nothing and only serves to divide communities even further.  We have all worked far too hard to allow this to happen.

Wednesday 12 June 2013

Preparing for G8


I spent yesterday out and about, with the Chief Constable, in Fermanagh and Armagh to see for myself the various venues and get an idea of the scale of the G8 Summit and policing operation.  Until you actually visit some of the venues it is hard to get a sense of the need for such a huge policing operation.

We also had the opportunity to talk to, and thank, many of the 3,600 colleagues who have come from policing services in Great Britain to support the operation.

There is no doubt that this is an unprecedented policing operation and on top of the safe delivery of the G8 Summit your police service also has to deliver on normal day to day policing business which will continue in the background.

I was very impressed by the way so many of my police and staff colleagues have worked together to deliver the infrastructure necessary for such a challenge.  Their determination, resilience and professionalism has been truly outstanding.  Much of the infrastructure is temporary, and has been put in place over the past few months, and the operation will continue for sometime after the Summit to dismantle this.

What I saw yesterday reinforced my sense of pride in a truly great organisation of amazing people.  Many organisations plan for years to deliver an event of this scale but we have only had a few months to plan, prepare and deliver. 

In an international event of this scale involving the world leaders, we have to accept a level of disruption.  However, it is also a huge opportunity for Northern Ireland and for County Fermanagh in particular.  We want this Summit to showcase the very best of Northern Ireland.  For our part, we will certainly be doing everything we possibly can to minimise disruption and to make sure the world leaders, their delegations and the world’s media  take away positive and lasting memories of their visit to Northern Ireland.

If you want to keep up to date with all the information relating to the policing of G8 you can follow us on Facebook or twitter

www.facebook.com/PSNI.G8
www.twitter.com/PSNIG8

Friday 17 May 2013

Launch of Rural Crime Unit at Balmoral Show


Yesterday morning I had the pleasure of visiting the new venue for the Balmoral Show at the Maze site near Lisburn. I would like to congratulate the organisers for what is an excellent venue and show.

My primary reason for being there was to jointly launch the new Rural Crime Unit with the Minister of Justice, David Ford. The very last thing farmers need right now, with everything else that is going on, is to suffer loss or damage at the hands of criminals.

The Unit, with financial support from the Department of Justice and NFU Mutual, will enable the Police Service to dedicate resources to focusing exclusively on rural crime. The Unit will liaise with police across Northern Ireland to provide a co-ordinated response to this issue. There are many initiatives to help and protect the farming community already in place and this new Unit is a very welcome development. It will provide additional support to farmers and assist us in directing resources to where they are needed most. To find out more about how to prevent rural crime visit http://www.psni.police.uk/directory/crime-prevention/farmyard_security.htm or contact your local Crime Prevention Officer who will be very happy to provide you with information and advice.

In stark contrast not that far away from the Show, terrorists were in the final stages of mounting a murder attempt on police officers who, like their colleagues at Balmoral Park, were out in the community delivering a service and working to keep people safe. Thankfully the officers were uninjured but those who carried out this attack showed a blatant disregard for the safety of those who live in that area. When you see images of bullet holes in parked cars it shows not just what a lucky escape local residents had, but also the recklessness of the terrorists. There is no such thing as a responsible or acceptable attack on police, but this attack was particularly indiscriminate. However, despite this potentially murderous attack, those officers and their colleagues are back out again today, undeterred, supporting and protecting communities.

Whether it’s preventing rural crime or detecting those responsible for acts of terror, your support is critical in the form of information and reporting suspicious activity. Our desire, and ability, to provide the finest personal, professional and protective policing service is greatly enhanced when the police and communities work together. With your help and support we will continue to make a difference.



Monday 29 April 2013

Recent visit to Belfast Royal Academy


I had the pleasure of revisiting one of my old schools last week. I had been invited to speak with a group of sixth formers, all of whom happened to be girls. 

I had been invited by Eddie McCamley, my former history teacher. Although no longer teaching, he now spends his retirement assisting the school to connect with former pupils.

I'll not tell you exactly what year I left Belfast Royal Academy, but it was lovely to be back and as I walked through the school it brought back many old memories.  Belfast Royal Academy is the oldest school in Belfast, established in 1785 in what is now the Academy Street area.  It moved to its current site on the Cliftonville Road in 1880.

I had only been at the school up until 3rd year, as it was known then, but living at the time at the top of the New Lodge Road, during some of the most troubled years, it was a sanctuary for the many young people who went there.  I noted the diversity of the school now, and it was great to see young people from a wide range of cultures and communities learning together in an atmosphere of tolerance and respect.  

I was reminded of the day that there was trouble in the area and the Headmaster of the time personally walked my sister and I along the Antrim Road to make sure that we got home safely.  I was more concerned about being seen under the escort of the Headmaster than being harmed by any trouble that was going on.  On reflection I was very grateful to him for such care and consideration.  It was perhaps an indication of a teacher's standing at that time that he could march us unscathed down the Cliftonville Road towards home. 

I had been asked to share my career experiences with the group of girls and then to take some questions.  It always amazes me how interested, informed and challenging a group like this can be. Their questions were refreshingly direct, frank, insightful and thoughtful. 

One thing that was clear , there was an appetite amongst a number of them considering a career in policing.  They were interested to hear more about when we will be recruiting, what the selection criteria would be and what was required during training.  I was able to let them know that we would be seeking to recruit again in the near future.

They also asked about balancing a family life with a policing career and how I had coped with the various challenges over my 31 years policing experience.  I was able to reassure them that despite all the challenges, past and present, I did try to live a relatively normal life outside of the day job. 

It was lovely also to catch up afterwards with the Headmaster, Mr Dickson, and to share reflections on our school days.  In this regard it is important that I pay tribute to those teachers who had such an important influence on me, both at Belfast Royal Academy and later at Regent House School, Newtownards in my formative years.  We sometimes forget what an important and influential job teachers have, in particular those who work so hard across communities to bring children together in an atmosphere of understanding and mutual respect.  Such early investments, I am convinced, can have long term rewards.

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Remembering the victims and the people of Boston


The sympathy of all right thinking people will be with the people of Boston at this time and in particular those who have lost family and friends and those who have been seriously injured.

The presence of so many cameras and 'live time' reporting brings the devastation, terror and tragedy of these attacks right into our living rooms.

It's only natural after such an horrific attack that people start to think about major sporting and other events which could become targets for similar acts of terror.  The Metropolitan Police have been working hard to reassure competitors taking part in the London Marathon this week in relation to their security plans and of course we have our own Belfast Marathon coming up in just a few weeks time.

Sadly we are very used to planning major events in a style which fully considers the reality of a terror attack.  All these events will be risk assessed and a proportionate policing operation put in place consistent with the risk.  However, the possibility of an attack by terrorists is always a consideration not just on the event itself but on the police resources facilitating it.  This is just a reality of policing Northern Ireland in the face of a severe terrorist threat.

I want to reassure you that over the next few months during the G8 Summit, World Police and Fire Games, UK City of Culture and other major events, we will be continuing to plan with contingencies in mind.  We will also be working, in so far as is humanly possible, to ensure that competitors, spectators, officials, volunteers and police officers are safe and feel safe.  Recent arrests and the recovery of firearms and explosives show our very clear determination to do so.

It is vitally important that we also have your support.  You are our extra set of 'eyes and ears' as you go about your normal daily business and we rely on your support to keep people safe.  I know this will not deter you from your plans to participate in sporting and other major events in the future, and your encouragement of those who have worked so hard to organise these fantastic spectacles is so important.  I am sure that the people of Boston are as determined as ever to show that they will not be deterred by these attacks, just as we have shown in Northern Ireland that neither will we.

Wednesday 10 April 2013

15 years on from the Good Friday Agreement

 
If you have been listening to the news this morning, I am sure that it will not have escaped your notice that today is the fifteenth anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement - 10th April 1998.
 
One of the major success stories of the agreement has been the evolution to a policing service that is much more representative of the community. And whilst there are still major challenges, the environment in which we now work and support we have from communities across Northern Ireland means we are able to develop our focus on policing with the community, working in partnership with our local communities.
 
It is appropriate to pay tribute to those in the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC who paved the way for such changes and to the many who helped deliver them. We are today a very different police service from that of 15 years ago.
 
I look forward to reading The Community Relations Council's latest '2013 Peace Monitoring' report in detail when it is published later today. One of the headlines being used ahead of publication is 'Northern Ireland has most difficult year in decade'. From a policing perspective, I can say that it has certainly been one of the most challenging years for the Police Service of Northern Ireland. We have a great deal of experience in dealing with many and varied challenges, but the protracted nature of recent challenges have been particularly difficult.
 
We have of course still the G8 Summit, World Police and Fire Games, the UK City of Culture and the All Ireland Fleadh ahead of us. We will be working very hard with communities and partners to successfully and safely deliver these major events.
 
There is absolutely no doubt that Northern Ireland has been transformed since 1998. We still have some way to go and recent events have shown that there is still much 'unfinished business' of the peace process. By way of one example, this afternoon I will chair the PSNI Legacy Group, a monthly meeting to monitor and manage the PSNI's legal responsibilities to respond to the legacy of the past - and whilst relatives of those killed during the Troubles want and deserve answers to their questions, the absence of any agreed way forward on the past continues to place a significant burden on the time and resources of your Police Service.
 
I am an optimist, if I wasn't I would have very clearly picked the wrong job. As a police officer you have to believe that tomorrow can be better and perhaps as we all reflect back to where we were 15 years ago we can see that the optimists were right.
 
Your Police Service has delivered much and whilst we do not get it right all the time the increase in community support, coupled with greater confidence and lower crime figures, has all been delivered against the backdrop of an ongoing terrorist threat and very significant operational challenges. I believe this demonstrates our determination to deliver the very finest personal, professional and protective policing service possible.
 
If we all continue to work together to build on the progress of the past 15 years, potentially the next 15 could be every bit as significant.

Friday 29 March 2013

Policing in Extreme Conditions


This week has brought some of the most horrendous weather conditions for many people living across Northern Ireland. I certainly cannot ever remember experiencing as much snow in my lifetime. You couldn’t help but be moved by the accounts on our television screens of desperate farmers talking about being helpless to save the lives of many of their livestock. In this context, it is good to learn that the Executive has agreed a package to help those affected farmers.

I am also aware of many families who found themselves cut off and feeling very isolated with no electricity and dwindling food supplies. I want to pay tribute to everyone who worked around the clock and in the most extreme conditions to help those who found themselves in this very difficult position.

In particular, I want to acknowledge the work of my colleagues in our Search and Rescue Team and Air Support Unit. On Monday morning, I visited the operations room from where the multi agency response had been co-ordinated over the weekend. I heard of a number of examples where colleagues had used snow shoes to walk miles into snow bound areas, in the dark, to deliver critical food and medical supplies. Our Air Support Unit also delivered food and medical supplies, including oxygen to a gentleman who had almost run out, and air lifted a number of people from their homes to hospital for medical attention. And even just last night, members of the Services Search and Rescue Team were involved, along with North West Mountain Rescue and the Irish Army Air Corps and Irish Coastguard helicopters, in rescuing two young men who had got into difficultly whilst climbing in a gully on the Binevenagh Mountain near Limavady. Two members of the Team had to abseil down into the gully in heavy snow and ice to assist the men who were then airlifted by the Irish Air Corps to safety.  

I know too that many other statutory and voluntary agencies also helped to ensure that people were kept safe. The community spirit in areas was critical as people used diggers to help neighbours by clearing roads to those areas cut off by deep snow drifts.

In stark contrast, whilst we were helping communities deal with the extreme weather conditions, colleagues in Fermanagh were dealing with an abandoned car bomb near Derrylin. I utterly condemn those responsible and thank the local community for their support during the disruption which lasted a number of days. Those people who planned this attack have nothing to offer the people of Fermanagh or Northern Ireland and it would be our assessment that an increased security presence in the area has thwarted this reckless and deadly attack.

Policing has many challenges, and whether it is dealing with extreme weather conditions or acts of terror your Police Service will continue to do absolutely everything it can to ensure that we keep people safe, and deliver that personal, professional and protective policing service that our communities want and deserve.

Friday 22 March 2013

Personal Policing

It’s been a busy week, but one of the things that makes a policing career so enjoyable, interesting and challenging is that no one week is ever the same.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit Lisnaskea and patrol with members of the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.  Lisnaskea is a thriving rural town, albeit feeling the pinch like many other towns across Northern Ireland, but I was able to take the chance to speak with a number of the local business owners.   What always impresses me about rural towns is that there are always a few police officers who have been there for a very long time and know absolutely everyone and everyone knows them. This for me is exactly what good community policing is all about, long term relationships with local police officers known by name and who have a reputation for delivering a good policing service to the local community. I was also hearing about the very effective relationships on the ground with our colleagues in An Garda Síochána. This is very important given its close proximity to the border.

Yesterday morning I had the privilege of being invited to speak to the assembly at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, or Inst as most of us know it.  Over one thousand boys and staff gathered in their assembly hall. This was a great opportunity and I want to thank Janet Williamson, their principal, for the invitation. One of the strap lines I used in my address was ‘It’s the real thing’ and how life is not a dress rehearsal, you only get one chance and you need to make the best of it. Who knows I might even have been addressing a future Chief Constable!

I have also been dealing with the fallout of the errors made by the external Design Team in relation to the costings around the new NI Community Safety College at Desertcreat. As Chair of the Programme Board, I can assure you, the difficulties which we are currently working through with Health and Justice Departments and the three services (Police, Fire and Rescue and Prisons) are not show stoppers and whilst the opening of the College may now be delayed for a few months, into early 2016, it is very much still a reality.

Despite all the unique challenges the Police Service faces, our goal of delivering the finest personal, professional and protective service remains our priority. The events of last week, with the failed mortar attack on New Barnsley station, will not deflect us from this challenge.  Even this morning there is an ongoing security incident outside Enniskillen.  The vast majority of people support policing and with your support we can make communities better and safer. The mindless actions of those who totally disregard the safety of others must be frustrated, prevented and detected. The people who left the mortar bomb at New Barnsley have nothing positive to offer. There was absolutely no guarantee that the potentially deadly device would not miss its target and hit homes, schools or businesses in the nearby area.

With your help and support we will continue to work tirelessly to thwart acts of terror and criminality and continue to make your local community a better and safer place to live.

 

Friday 8 March 2013

International Women's Day


This day has been observed since the early 1900's when there was great expansion and turbulence in the industrialised world that saw population growth and a rise in radical ideologies.  Of course much has changed and on this day annually thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and to celebrate their achievements.  Indeed in my lifetime there have been significant 'firsts'; female astronauts, Prime Ministers, Chief Police Officers and others in senior positions in the public service.  There has also been new legislation and work place practices that support women to work and have a family, and enjoy greater career choices.

In recognition of this day, I am taking the opportunity to meet briefly this afternoon with a number of my female colleagues to hear more about their role and experiences within the Service.  Things are very different now to when I joined 31 years ago, and many of these women will also have seen a sea change in the opportunities available to women within the Police Service.

It is also difficult on such a day to not think about the violence and abuse suffered by women.  Sadly whilst the law affords females greater protection now than at probably any time before, violence against and the exploitation of women is still common place locally, nationally and internationally.

I was appalled to listen to the Prime Minister speak earlier this week about the risk to young women and girls in the United Kingdom from female genital mutilation.  It is estimated that worldwide 140 million women, most of them young girls, have experienced this barbaric and inhumane practice.  It is just unbelievable that in some countries this practice is actually legalised.  The UK government is hoping to reduce the practice by 30%, home and abroad, over the next five years and this is to be welcomed.  Whilst I am not aware of any identified cases of this nature within Northern Ireland, I have no doubt that it is a possibility.  The Police Service of Northern Ireland have officers who have been trained to deal with these hugely sensitive crimes and can support investigations and victims accordingly.

Recent successes in the fight against human traffickers in Northern Ireland are also to be welcomed.  I know that great efforts have been made by my colleagues in Crime Operations Department to make Northern Ireland a hostile place for these organised criminals.  In the past few years the Police Service of Northern Ireland has rescued over 80 victims of human trafficking.  This is an ever emerging issue which ultimately funds the activities of serious and organised crime gangs.  We constantly  look for signs of this activity as we go about our daily duties.

You may ask yourself as a concerned member of the public of Northern Ireland what can I do about these terrible crimes, and how can I assist and support the police?   We know that there are many people who see and hear things but for whatever reason just either don't want to get involved or do not know how to.

If you are concerned about a women or child, or indeed anyone, who may be suffering abuse of any sort or if you see any activity which appears suspicious, then you can assist us by bringing this to our attention.  We are very happy to follow up on information received and would much rather explore something and find that everything is alright than have someone get seriously hurt or worse, when this could have been prevented.

International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the achievements of women and girls, to ensure that they are protected and respected, and achieve their true potential in today's changing and challenging world.

Wednesday 20 February 2013

Highly Commended Award for Street Talk

On Monday evening I had the pleasure of attending the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People's Participation Award ceremony in Stormont.

The Children’s Commissioner established the Awards last year to recognise and celebrate the participation and active engagement of young people in public life. They are open to all government departments, arm’s length bodies and other public sector organisations.

This year there were two categories, ‘Putting young people at the forefront’ and ‘Creating space for young people in decision making’.  The first category was for projects which were set up by organisations who specifically aim to include children and young people in decisions directly affecting them and the second category was designed for projects working directly with young people, but in this category young people were involved in wider decision making.

The Strand Road Neighbourhood Policing Team had been nominated in category one for its Street Talk project.  The project worked with 48 young people from different backgrounds and interface areas, or who have a history of offending, or are at risk of engaging in offending behaviour. The project used diversionary arts training and other activities to engage with young people, capture their interest, promote creativity, promote positive use of free time, and divert them from negative risk taking behaviour.  

I visited the project last August and was really impressed with the work of the young people and how it was breaking down the barriers between communities and young people and the police.  I was delighted that the project received a highly commended Award and this was appropriate recognition for my colleagues in Strand Road and for The Playhouse who partnered with us.  What perhaps makes these Awards all the more special is that it was a panel of young people who designed the Award criteria, selected the finalists and ultimately the winners.

This is just one of the many partnership initiatives which the PSNI are involved in every day across Northern Ireland.  Despite all the various challenges that we face, the 'day job' must and does go on.  It was great to see the young people recognised and rewarded for this excellent initiative.

I want to add my congratulations to all of the other Award winners. There were so many great initiatives, so for the Police Service of Northern Ireland to get short listed, never mind highly commended was very pleasing. 

If you would like to find out more about all the projects and recipients click http://www.niccy.org/ParticipationAwards


Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY), Patricia Lewsley-Mooney pictured along with Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie and members of the Award Panel, Jill Lapping, Nikita Harkin, Aaron Gorman, Eve Malcomson, Barry McCrory, Emma Hegarty and Stephen Beattie. (Picture courtesy of Aaron McCracken/Harrisons)

Monday 11 February 2013

Our Colleague – Constable Philippa Reynolds

It was devastating over the weekend to have to visit the family of Constable Philippa Reynolds in such tragic circumstances.  This was a young police officer who was out on duty delivering a policing service and working to keep the public safe.  She died doing what she loved. 

It is very sad that the Police Service has lost another fine member and that her family have been cheated of a daughter and sister who had so much more to give.   I met her boyfriend too, who has been robbed of future happiness with Philippa.  Reading some of the comments left by family and friends, on social media, just showed how much she was liked and loved by so many.

I met with some of Philippa's colleagues in Strand Road on Saturday night and, whilst I didn't know her personally, she just seemed such a lovely, bubbly young woman who was so excited to have been able to work in the Police Service of Northern Ireland and clearly had so much more to give to policing.  The photograph her family released to the media, I felt, just showed her bright and fun loving personality.  In a relatively short space of time within Police Service she had clearly made a huge and lasting impact on her colleagues and in her community. 

I want to echo the words of our Chief Constable, who said, "This is a personal tragedy for her family and also for the whole Police Service. She was out on duty, working to keep people safe, when she died. My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time. I and my colleagues will ensure that no stone remains unturned as we work to bring to justice those who perpetrated this crime." 

The investigation team have worked tirelessly over the weekend to ensure that every investigative opportunity is explored.  Two men are due to  appear in court this morning charged with a range of offences and for obvious reasons I am unable to go into any further details at this time.

We will support Philippa's family at this very difficult time.  Sadly this is something that the Police Service is well practised at and does very well, and that support will continue not just in the next few days but in the weeks, months and years that lie ahead.

Today police officers and staff are out across Northern Ireland delivering a personal, professional and protective policing service.  This is the very best way that we can honour the service of our colleague, continuing to do the very thing for which she lived and, tragically, died.

Friday 1 February 2013

Working in partnership to prevent organised crime

As I crossed the border travelling to Dublin last weekend, the sun was shining on the hills of South Armagh and it was a truly spectacular scene.  

On Wednesday I received a briefing about 14 tonnes of toxic waste discovered at a fuel laundering plant near the village of Jonesborough in South Armagh, and the potentially appalling environmental impact on the beautiful countryside I’d admired just days earlier.

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HRMC) have said that it was one of the most sophisticated plants ever found in Northern Ireland and I am delighted to confirm that it has now been dismantled.  It is believed that the plant was capable of producing 25 million litres of illicit fuel with the potential to evade over £18m in taxes and duty a year.

John Whiting, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation for HMRC commented that: “the level of sophistication was astounding,” and that it appeared to have been built solely for the purposes of laundering fuel.  To build this plant and install underground tanks, clearly took time and significant resources.   Therefore someone must have known that it was in operation, so I appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious to report it to police.

In addition to the level of tax evasion and the cost to the tax payer, which in reality means less money for healthcare and schools, the recklessness of those responsible and the potential impact to the environment of such a shocking level of toxic waste is completely appalling and shows a total disregard for those who live in this area.    

That is to say nothing of the danger on our roads as this illicit fuel is transported around the country, often in crudely modified vehicles which aren't designed for that purpose, with absolutely no safety measures in place, often being driven by people with no appropriate training. The catastrophic consequences of one of these vehicles being involved in a collision does not bear thinking about.

This is of course not the first fuel laundering plant dismantled in this area, or in other parts of Northern Ireland and it will certainly not be the last.

What this discovery demonstrates, is that HMRC and your Police Service are absolutely determined that criminals will not be allowed to generate income by such dangerous illegal activities.  

Despite recent operational challenges, police officers are out there dealing with criminality, working in partnership with other agencies, and are determined to deprive criminals of finance which will ultimately be used to fund acts of criminality or terror. 

Some may think that this is a victimless crime and that no-one is really being affected, and may actively support it by buying laundered fuel.  But the reality is that the revenue that is being generated is being used by organised crime gangs and terrorist groups to further their own activities, whether that is buying drugs to sell on our streets or purchasing firearms and explosives.  

The outcome of their activities is certainly not victimless.  Illegally laundered fuel can be highly damaging to engines, so what might initially seem like a cheaper alternative, in the long run, can cause  problems costing hundreds, even thousands of pounds to repair.

We will continue to work with our partners to try to stop these activities and you can help by reporting suspicious activity to the police or HMRC directly or by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.  By doing so you can help protect the environment, keep our roads safe and deprive organised criminals of the funding they crave to carry out serious crime.

Monday 28 January 2013

A Day of Difference

One of the benefits of being the Deputy Chief Constable is that no day is ever really the same, and Saturday was certainly no exception.

I had been invited in the morning to attend Croke Park in Dublin to address the Gaelic Athletic Association, National Officer Development Day. At the outset I took the opportunity to pay tribute to my colleague from An Garda Síochána, Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who had been so brutally murdered just a few hours earlier. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and our colleagues at this very difficult time. The relationship between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and An Garda Síochána is probably like no other, between two police services and we are doing everything possible to support the investigation to bring his murderers to justice.

This is the second time I have spoken at Croke Park in the past few months and the symbolism of a senior Police Service of Northern Ireland officer addressing a gathering at this historically symbolic venue is not lost on me. I had been asked to speak about the PSNI change process and I spoke frankly about our experiences 'warts and all'.

As I returned from Dublin, I visited the Silver Room for 'D' District (Antrim, Lisburn, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey) located in Lisburn Station and met with the District Commander, Chief Superintendent Henry Irvine and a number of the officers and staff on duty. I received a briefing on the minor disorder of the previous night in Newtownabbey.

I then visited a local sporting venue where the Services Netball Team were playing the Greater Manchester police. I wanted to speak with our colleagues from Greater Manchester to thank them for coming over despite the very negative publicity Northern Ireland has been receiving nationally and internationally. They all agreed that despite some reservations about travelling over that they were very glad they came and were overwhelmed by the warmth of the local welcome.

I finished my day by calling in on a Multi Cultural event in Dunmurry being run in partnership by Dunmurry Community Association, Greater Dunmurry Positive Relations Partnership and the local Presbyterian Church at Glebe Road. In some way this event was quite refreshing, given recent events - a gathering of people from a number of ethnic and faith backgrounds, local and some not so, meeting together despite their differences to have an afternoon of fun, food and music. I also had the opportunity to try my hand at the 'Chenda' drums, a traditional Indian musical instrument. Two of these drums had been presented to the Indian Malayali Association earlier in the afternoon and I was delighted that the Police Service of Northern Ireland had been able to help purchase these from a Diversity in Action Award bursary received by the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Whilst it is somewhat frustrating to be back at my desk again this morning and spending time, yet again, talking to senior colleagues about flag protests, the events of the weekend at least give me a sense of hope that community policing is progressing and that officers are out there doing their very best to deliver  personal, professional and protective policing in extremely difficult circumstances.

Monday 21 January 2013

Getting ready to welcome World Police and Fire Games

Despite all of our current challenges, the momentum is really building for this year’s World Police and Fire Games in August, now less than 200 days away.

This promises to be the biggest and most exciting sporting event which Northern Ireland will ever experience. We are expecting around 10,000 competitors, accompanied by 15,000 family and friends, taking part in 57 sporting events across 42 venues. I want for a moment to speak to my international followers, some of whom may be having second thoughts as a result of watching some of the media pictures of the recent protests and disorder associated with the removal of the Union Flag from Belfast City Hall.

 Already we have 1,859 competitors registered, many of whom are team captains, and when you take into account their team colleagues this would bring the numbers up to about 3,500. Over £2m has been generated already with hotel bookings, over 6,400 volunteers have enlisted to help and we are currently going through a selection and training process to ensure that they can support us in making this the very best and friendliest games ever.

I want to reassure you that the majority of recent protests have been entirely peaceful and any disorder has been isolated to a number of very small areas, mainly in one particular area of East Belfast. The vast majority of areas across Northern Ireland have been totally unaffected. In fact you could be in Belfast City Centre and be totally oblivious that there had been any trouble at all. There has also been some disruption to traffic but this has been largely dealt with by the Police.

Last week, we hosted a visit of World Police and Fire Games competitors from Canada, USA, Spain, Germany and England and when I met with them, each of the visitors said that they had been overwhelmed by the warm welcome they have received. Several said specifically they had such an amazing time visiting some our tourist attractions that they plan to bring their families with them in August. Our visitors saw first hand everything that Northern Ireland has to offer and all of them said that they would absolutely be coming to Belfast in August, with many planning to stay longer to experience everything that Ireland, both North and South, has to offer. You can see a short video of some of their comments at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA4xJZyF6Tc

To keep up to date with all the very latest developments I would encourage you to visit the website at www.2013wpfg.com  or follow WPFG on Facebook or twitter - at www.facebook.com/2013wpfg  and www.twitter.com/2013wpfg

Northern Ireland is a very safe place. In fact, overall crime levels are at their lowest level for many years and the Police Service will always put public safety first. We have worked and will continue to work closely with local communities to minimise any disorder and disruption, and to ensure appropriate resources are in place to keep people safe. Over the weekend I am pleased to say that those few protests which did take place were peaceful.

Our aim is to deliver the friendliest Games ever and we remain very confident that we will do so. We look forward to August so that we can welcome thousands of visitors from across the world so they can experience the kind of warm welcome that Northern Ireland is famous for.

Monday 14 January 2013

Violence is not and will not be the answer

It’s hard to get away from talking about the ongoing protests and public disorder.  To be honest it’s quite depressing to be still having to blog about this matter 40 + days after it all began.

I had hoped that common sense would prevail and that somehow those who disagree with the decision about the Union Flag would have found some other way to deal with their anger and frustration.  I am appalled that almost 100 police officers have been injured, millions of pounds of the policing budget diverted, which could have been used for more positive things, thousands of pounds of damage caused to homes, property and police equipment, and communities wrecked, to say nothing of the potential to damage many years of community reconciliation which people have worked so hard to develop.

The damage internationally will have a long legacy.  We have already heard stories of almost empty planes landing at our airports, the very significant financial loss to our retail, food and hospitality industry and even if the protests were to end tomorrow it will take some months to recover from the economic impact.  No doubt much needed jobs will be lost.  We are getting queries from people who are thinking twice about coming to Northern Ireland for major events such as the World Police and Fire Games, an event which can potentially bring up to 25,000 people to Northern Ireland and millions of pounds to the economy.

Over the weekend you saw the images of police officers intervening as Northern Ireland's deep seated, raw sectarianism was evidenced on the Albert Bridge Road.  I saw images on the news of children, one small boy I would say was no older than about 11, joining in with older youths to throw masonry at police officers.  Many will rightly ask about parental control in that situation.  To date 112 people, many of them young, have been arrested with 85 charged with offences.  Their choice to become involved in street disorder may well have an impact much longer after the protests have finished.  Given the choice - and it is a choice - no-one wants this future for our young people.

I appeal, in fact I plead, that everyone whether an elected representative, community worker, parent, person of influence or individual who cares about the future of our young people does everything they can to stop this ongoing situation.  Find another way to voice your anger rather than engaging in street protest.  And if you feel you must protest, do it legally and peacefully, notifying the appropriate authorities in advance.  It’s still not too late to find another way to try to resolve this issue.  Violence is not and will not be the answer.  If our troubled past has taught us nothing, it has surely taught us this.

Friday 4 January 2013

Welcoming the New Year with continued safety

I welcome the fact that the number of people dying on our roads is at the lowest level since records began in 1931.  Since this date a total of 14,570 people have lost their lives on Northern Ireland's roads.

Last year 48 deaths were recorded, but this is still far too many.  This is almost one death per week and 48 families who grieve over the loss of a loved one is 48 families too many.  Tragically, these figures include five children who died, an increase from two last year.

Despite the very many challenges your Police Service faces, the reduction shows that we will not be distracted from working together with our partner agencies to increase education and undertake enforcement to continue to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads.  The sad reality is that many of these deaths could have been avoided.  Inattention including the use of mobile phones whilst driving, speed and alcohol continue to be significant factors which are the cause of serious collisions, and it is very disappointing that whilst the message of drinking and driving is getting through,  in the run up to Christmas we still detected over 130 motorists who were unfit to drive.

The requirement to deploy significant numbers of police officers to deal with the ongoing flag protests can serve to distract us from other important areas of policing, such as the prevention of road deaths and indeed the prevention and detection of really serious crimes such as the murder of Jason McGovern and the attempted murder of a police colleague and his close family earlier this week.  

Our resources are not infinite and we will continue to do everything possible to ensure that we prioritise police officers and staff into those areas which require them the most, but at the same time try to ensure that other important areas do not suffer.  There is no policing solution to the ongoing flag protests. The Police Service will continue to do everything we can, while those with influence must renew their efforts to find a peaceful solution to community concerns.