Indiscriminate attack on primary school disgusting and difficult to comprehend

Yesterday morning’s completely indiscriminate attack on the primary school children of St Comgall’s in Antrim as they arrived for another week absolutely disgusted me.

B e under no illusions, this was a real device carefully put together for one reason - to kill or seriously injure whoever happened to be in close proximity at that time.

There is no such thing as a responsible bomb, but the recklessness of someone prepared to place a bomb at a primary school where it could be picked up by an eight year old child and carried into the school is difficult to comprehend.

The vast majority of people had hoped that with the very significant progress which had been achieved towards a shared future in recent years, such acts of blatant sectarianism could be confined to the past.

Sadly there are still those within our communities, who no doubt have eight year old family members themselves’, who for whatever reason cannot contemplate the concept of mutual respect and understanding. This type of attack makes it difficult to imagine what their vision of the future is for their children.

It is unreasonable to expect the Police Service alone to deal with the cancer of deep seated hatred which obviously still exists within our community. We rightly deal with the symptoms of the problem but the cause requires everyone’s efforts. Northern Ireland is moving on.

What we need now is a real concerted effort to ensure we continue to move in the right direction. Condemnation of such attacks is welcome, but even more welcome is consistent action, from communities and community leaders, to isolate those who put the lives and the future of children - of all our children - at risk. Such action will ensure we really do move on.

As a police officer, and a parent, I share the collective responsibility to do everything I can to encourage tolerance and understanding of those who don’t necessarily share the same opinions or views as I do. We must all continue to work together to promote understanding and tolerance.

Together I believe we can make a difference and isolate those within our communities who clearly have a different agenda.

Mela 2010

I was delighted on Sunday to have been invited to attend the Belfast Mela in Botanic Gardens. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has been associated with and a sponsor of the Mela since its inception four years ago.

The word Mela means ‘to meet’ and what an exciting array of colour, scents, food and diversity were on display on Sunday. Recently so many of the news headlines have portrayed images of hatred but this was a fantastic example of everything tolerant and positive about the future of Belfast and Northern Ireland.

Over 30,000 people descended on the gardens at Botanic to celebrate Northern Ireland’s rich cultural background. People from all over the City of Belfast and further afield, from all backgrounds and cultures, ages and communities coming together to enjoy a varied programme of music, food and dance.

Indeed as I was leaving there was a huge queue of people waiting patiently at the gates of the park to get in, such was the interest in the event.

As I have said many times before our diversity is something to be celebrated and not feared. The Indian community first started arriving in Northern Ireland in the 1920’s and whilst the community is relatively small, the Mela has become the biggest multi-cultural event in Northern Ireland, attracting stalls and performers from all over the world.

It was my pleasure to have had the opportunity to join with them to celebrate everything they have contributed to life in Northern Ireland.

I also took the opportunity to visit the PSNI and Unite Against Hate stand. Unite Against Hate is a partnership initiative to promote diversity and create a zero tolerance of hate crime and discrimination.

If you would like to add your support, you can find out more at: HYPERLINK "http://www.uniteagainsthate.org.uk/" http://www.uniteagainsthate.org.uk/

The more people who become actively involved the better. For example, if everyone who visited the Mela on Sunday became proactively involved, think of the difference that could make.

My sincere thanks to all who supported the Belfast Mela and especially to Artsekta for bringing such a beacon of hope to the City of Belfast.

Dealing with the past is the responsibility of everyone

The terrible events of the 31^st July 1972 in Claudy have been the focus of attention over the past days.

The regret expressed by former Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid, on behalf of the PSNI, when he met with the families of those injured and killed, in December 2002, has not diminished in the intervening years.

At that meeting ACC Kinkaid briefed the families on the findings of a police review of the original investigation. Afterwards ACC Kinkaid said “it is clear that the relatives of those who died in the bomb attack in Claudy village and those who were injured have not received justice. I regret this very much and in particular that opportunities to arrest and interview all of the suspects were not taken."

I wholeheartedly agree with what ACC Kinkaid said. The Royal Ulster Constabulary didn’t always get it right, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland has made mistakes too.

We police in a very different context today, and this is in no way intended to make excuses for the past. Our aim is to deliver a personal, professional and protective police service, which ensures that the events in Claudy are not repeated.

No Police Service could ever say that they will always get it right. But it will not be for the want of trying. And it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the bravery and sacrifice of so many police officers and police staff who in the midst of the unrelenting violence of the 1970’s were killed or injured delivering a police service, trying to keep all communities safe.

In the months and years to come, there will no doubt be difficult and challenging times as Northern Ireland tries to reconcile itself with its past.

Through the establishment of the Historical Enquiries Team (HET), we are attempting to facilitate a process to recover the truth and ensure that those individuals who have questions receive the answers they seek, uncomfortable as those answers may be.

That work will continue. We would encourage anyone with information in relation to Claudy, or indeed any historical event linked to the Troubles, to come forward to the HET.

Neighbourhood connections can work together

I had the pleasure of patrolling the streets of Downpatrick last Friday afternoon with the local Neighbourhood Policing Team. As I patrolled I had the opportunity to speak to numerous members of the public, local representatives and business owners.

What was abundantly clear to me was that the people of Downpatrick want a visible Police Service who know and understand the needs of those who live in, work in and visit Downpatrick. I saw first hand a team of officers who have a passion for doing exactly that.

Recent events have very clearly caused much concern within the Downpatrick area, and across Northern Ireland, and it was very clear that anyone I spoke to had absolutely no time for those who continue to inflict acts of terrorism on individuals and communities.

I was disgusted by the indiscriminate act which could have so easily have taken the lives of three children in Lurgan on Saturday afternoon. Those who carried out this attack showed a complete disregard for the safety of anyone who happened to be in this area at that time, and it is only by pure good fortune that no-one was killed. It would appear that there are no boundaries to their recklessness.

I very much welcome and greatly appreciate the public show of support, on Saturday, for my colleague who terrorists tried to murder in Kilkeel last week. Events like this further serve to isolate those responsible and demonstrate the lack of support for those who attempt to carry out such acts of terror.

The Police Service is continuing to raise its game, to tackle head on, those whose intent it is to cause terror. You will see over the next days and weeks an increased visible police presence as we work to prevent, frustrate and detect further terrorist activity. Already this year we have arrested and charged 40 people in relation to dissident republican activity . This will continue.

We cannot be everywhere all the time but you can, and must, help us by being our eyes and ears in your local area. Look out for your friends and neighbours, and immediately report anything suspicious. Those people who have information and choose not to disclose it need to seriously examine their conscience.

We are absolutely committed to playing our active part in defeating terrorism but we cannot work alone. More than ever, we need, rely on, and must have your active support.

As a society we still have work to do

The images of violence recently broadcast across the world have highlighted that, as a society we still have work to do.

The totally unacceptable attacks on police officers over the 12th July period, which resulted in injuries to more than 80 of my colleagues, are a clear indication of that fact.

Communities the world over ask an immense amount from police officers and no more so is that the case than in Northern Ireland.

Once again my officers have placed themselves between the differing voices on our streets, and paid a high price. The cost of protecting the legitimate rights of those who wanted to walk and those who wanted to protest has run into millions of pounds.

In the current financial climate, when public money should be spent on personal policing, hospital beds, nurses, school places, teachers, the list goes on, the public purse is stretched and money has been diverted away from delivering critical services.

I recognise the efforts of community representatives, politicians, and those in other positions of authority, who have engaged tirelessly with each other to resolve these issues, and I encourage and exhort those involved to continue and indeed increase these efforts.

There has been a great deal of time and effort spent in addressing these issues in recent years, but there is still much to do.

For our part we are determined to work with anyone to help bring about a resolution to the issue, but in the absence of such a resolution we will continue to protect communities and individual human rights.

As evidence of this commitment, to date we have arrested over 40 people in connection with the violence and I assure you that more arrests and charges will follow.

The recent disorder will not deter us from delivering the personal, professional, protective service which everyone in our community expects and indeed deserves.

The words of support we have received include messages from members of our communities and beyond, who registered their shock and disgust as events unfolded and felt compelled to voice their anger at the violence, and their support and sympathy to the injured officers.

They included people who stepped forward from within the affected communities to say enough is enough and that the rioters do not represent them.

If ever there was an indicator of the desire for a quality policing service then this is it, and we will continue to deliver that personal, professional service to everyone.

The restraint and professionalism displayed by each of the officers involved in the policing operation in the face of extreme danger, and the response of the service as a whole was once again outstanding.

The praise, which has been loudly voiced locally, nationally and internationally is tangible. Their actions have been commended in the highest forum through the words of praise from Prime Minister, David Cameron. Add to that the words of the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, at last week’s Police Officer Graduation ceremony, who quite rightly highlighted that police officers are all 'active leaders' within the peace process.

We will continue to play our part.

Others must now, more than ever, do the same.

Financial pressure

At last Thursday's Policing Board meeting there was a public debate on the likely impact public spending cuts will have on the Service.

Given the current financial context it is almost inevitable that - just like every other public service across Northern Ireland - we will need to find additional savings.

It is absolutely right and proper that this debate should be held in public. Politicians and the community must be told about the potential impact funding cuts will have on the police service we provide, to ensure the very best and most appropriate decisions are made.

Whatever the outcome of the funding decisions, I assure you that we will continue to provide a personal, professional, protective policing service.

Whatever difficult decisions lie ahead, let it be clear that we will not compromise on the safety of the public, our officers and staff.

We have already demonstrated, in planning for the future, that we are prepared to make some very difficult decisions.

Our aim to be the finest, personal, professional and protective police service in the world remains.

To make this a reality, we need to work in even closer partnership with, and have greater support from, you.

Graduation day

I had the pleasure on Friday afternoon, past, to convene the graduation of 53 men and women and witness their attestation as Constables in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

I felt a great sense of pride as I joined with hundreds of family members, friends and colleagues to share in this very special day. Young men, and women, from across geographical boundaries, community backgrounds and nationalities. People who had taken the decision to serve their community, and the people of Northern Ireland, through the very honourable profession of Policing.

As Convening Officer I have the privilege to be one of the first to address our very latest Constables. I took the opportunity to congratulate them but also to reinforce the need to make every encounter with the public personal and professional, to treat people as they would wish to be treated themselves – to use every opportunity to demonstrate that the Police Service of Northern Ireland can become the finest personal, professional and protective police service in the world.

These men and women have now joined the ranks of an organisation which has a critical and influential part to play in strengthening community support for policing and I have absolutely no doubt that they are totally up for it.

In a few weeks time these officers will be patrolling your streets and communities as your local police officers trying to get a sense of what is important to you and what makes you feel safe and this can only be achieved by your consistent support, as we work together towards a safe, confident and peaceful Northern Ireland.