I was delighted to have been asked to attend the launch of a Young Passengers and Drivers Awareness initiative (YPAD), yesterday afternoon in Banbridge.
This initiative was developed with a number of agencies and partners, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Over the next six months over 1,000 young people, in years 12 to 14, will attend a seminar aimed at keeping them safer on our roads, as either drivers or passengers.
The session includes a locally produced film developed specifically for this initiative. The film which features local young people and members of the various agencies and partners shows the consequences of being distracted by text messaging whilst driving. Many of those who took part in the film were present at its launch.
One of most striking examples used yesterday, was that research has shown that taking your eyes of the road to look at a text message whilst driving at 55mph, is the equivalent of travelling the length of a football pitch with your eyes closed. And there were a number of driving simulators at the launch to 'drive'this home to the young people.
It is of course not just young people that are distracted by mobile phones and other devices in cars - the dangers apply equally to us all.
Sadly far too many people die on our roads across Northern Ireland each year. The downward trend is welcome but on average, every single week a person dies on our roads and the consequences of this for families, friends and communities stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Many collisions could be avoided if people slowed down, did not drink and drive and concentrate on the road and not the other potential distractions around them. This morning yet another family is having to come to terms withthe loss of someone dear to them.
I appeal to everyone, whether a young person just starting out on their driving experience, or as someone who has been driving for many years, to think carefully about their personal responsibility to drive safely.
By working together we will continue to reduce death and serious injury on our roads.
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Safety First for 'Fresh' Beginnings
It’s ‘Freshers’ week when students, old and new, head to our universities for the start of a new academic year.
For some this will be back to the familiar routine to which they are now well used, but for others it will be the start of something very new and with it the opportunities, challenges and perhaps for some new found freedom. The Police Service have been working closely with universities long before students have arrived. Our priority is to make sure that students are kept, and know how to keep safe and that they can integrate with the local community with the least disruption and inconvenience possible.
Sadly every year a small number of students become involved in criminality and anti social behaviour. The Police Service work closely with the universities and the local community to ensure that these individuals are identified and dealt with swiftly. What to some might seem a ‘moment of fun or madness’ can jeopardise a university place, result in disciplinary action by the university and/or a criminal record and ultimately could prevent future employment. By all means students should have fun and thoroughly enjoy their university experience but they should also act responsibly and think of others.
For those students going out and about at night, I ask you to think about where you are going, who you are going with, and to try when you are out and about to stay together. Tell someone when you are expected back and keep your mobile phone with you at all times, but keep it and any bags, purses or wallets concealed out of sight.
The influx of students to residential accommodation, on and off site, is also an opportunity for others. Criminals know that student accommodation will be filled with an array of televisions, laptops, ipods and other items which can be easily concealed and sold on. Accommodation is regularly unoccupied and therefore easily accessed. If you are concerned about the security of your property speak to your landlord about locks and alarms and make sure when you go out that you secure the property, look after your keys and don’t leave items of value in clear view of the street.
University is a fantastic opportunity and I encourage you to enjoy it. Please listen carefully to the experience of others and to the advice you are given. The last thing we want is for you to have to remember university for all the wrong reasons.
By working together and following some simple advice we can keep you safe.
Click here for Personal Safety advice:- http://www.psni.police.uk/index/crime-prevention/personal/personal-safety.htm
It’s ‘Freshers’ week when students, old and new, head to our universities for the start of a new academic year.
For some this will be back to the familiar routine to which they are now well used, but for others it will be the start of something very new and with it the opportunities, challenges and perhaps for some new found freedom. The Police Service have been working closely with universities long before students have arrived. Our priority is to make sure that students are kept, and know how to keep safe and that they can integrate with the local community with the least disruption and inconvenience possible.
Sadly every year a small number of students become involved in criminality and anti social behaviour. The Police Service work closely with the universities and the local community to ensure that these individuals are identified and dealt with swiftly. What to some might seem a ‘moment of fun or madness’ can jeopardise a university place, result in disciplinary action by the university and/or a criminal record and ultimately could prevent future employment. By all means students should have fun and thoroughly enjoy their university experience but they should also act responsibly and think of others.
For those students going out and about at night, I ask you to think about where you are going, who you are going with, and to try when you are out and about to stay together. Tell someone when you are expected back and keep your mobile phone with you at all times, but keep it and any bags, purses or wallets concealed out of sight.
The influx of students to residential accommodation, on and off site, is also an opportunity for others. Criminals know that student accommodation will be filled with an array of televisions, laptops, ipods and other items which can be easily concealed and sold on. Accommodation is regularly unoccupied and therefore easily accessed. If you are concerned about the security of your property speak to your landlord about locks and alarms and make sure when you go out that you secure the property, look after your keys and don’t leave items of value in clear view of the street.
University is a fantastic opportunity and I encourage you to enjoy it. Please listen carefully to the experience of others and to the advice you are given. The last thing we want is for you to have to remember university for all the wrong reasons.
By working together and following some simple advice we can keep you safe.
Click here for Personal Safety advice:- http://www.psni.police.uk/index/crime-prevention/personal/personal-safety.htm
Friday, 9 September 2011
World Police and Fire Games success
As the World Police and Fire Games have just drawn to a close in New York, I am delighted to tell you that the Police Service of Northern Ireland have picked up five gold , seven silver and four bronze medals.
Colleagues in NI Fire and Rescue picked up three gold, two silver and one bronze, whilst the NI Prison Service return with one gold, four silvers and one bronze medal.
Last Sunday evening at the closing ceremony attended by the Chief Constable, the responsibility for the next games in 2013 was handed over to Northern Ireland.
This will be a fantastic opportunity and will bring approximately 10,000 law enforcement officers and fire fighters, from across the world, to Northern Ireland for the largest sporting event ever hosted here.
The tourism, economic and legacy opportunities that the Games will bring to Belfast specifically and to Northern Ireland in general are significant.
The organisers of the 2013 World Police and Fire Games have set themselves the goal of being the friendliest games. and knowing our Belfast people I am sure that the Games will live up to that ambition.
This is of course only one of a number of very significant events over the next few years. We have already commenced planning with our partner agencies for the City of Culture 2013 in Derry/Londonderry.
There are some really exciting events planned for the City of Culture year that will bring many thousands of visitors into the North West. I am also often reminded as I travel across the M3 bridge of the Titanic commemorations planned for April 2012 as I watch the development of the Titanic Quarter and the building of the iconic landmark centrepiece which will become the Visitors' Centre.
These are fantastic opportunities for us all to show thousands of international visitors everything that is good about Northern Ireland, to the point that they will want to tell others to come here and see what we have on offer - including the world famous warmth of welcome of the Northern Ireland people.
Colleagues in NI Fire and Rescue picked up three gold, two silver and one bronze, whilst the NI Prison Service return with one gold, four silvers and one bronze medal.
Last Sunday evening at the closing ceremony attended by the Chief Constable, the responsibility for the next games in 2013 was handed over to Northern Ireland.
This will be a fantastic opportunity and will bring approximately 10,000 law enforcement officers and fire fighters, from across the world, to Northern Ireland for the largest sporting event ever hosted here.
The tourism, economic and legacy opportunities that the Games will bring to Belfast specifically and to Northern Ireland in general are significant.
The organisers of the 2013 World Police and Fire Games have set themselves the goal of being the friendliest games. and knowing our Belfast people I am sure that the Games will live up to that ambition.
This is of course only one of a number of very significant events over the next few years. We have already commenced planning with our partner agencies for the City of Culture 2013 in Derry/Londonderry.
There are some really exciting events planned for the City of Culture year that will bring many thousands of visitors into the North West. I am also often reminded as I travel across the M3 bridge of the Titanic commemorations planned for April 2012 as I watch the development of the Titanic Quarter and the building of the iconic landmark centrepiece which will become the Visitors' Centre.
These are fantastic opportunities for us all to show thousands of international visitors everything that is good about Northern Ireland, to the point that they will want to tell others to come here and see what we have on offer - including the world famous warmth of welcome of the Northern Ireland people.
Thursday, 1 September 2011
Belfast Mela 2011
I had the pleasure of attending the Belfast Mela 2011 last Sunday afternoon.
Over 18,000 people descended on Botanic Gardens to witness first hand the vibrant and colourful spectacle which has become a regular date in the Belfast calendar.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is delighted to support and be associated with the Mela and again officers were present, meeting with members of the public, providing advice and information.
The Mela, in its fifth year, has now become Northern Ireland's largest multi-cultural festival and I was delighted to see that it was again so well supported.
As I walked around visiting the various stalls and meeting people it was fantastic to see how multi-cultural Northern Ireland has become and all the opportunities that this presents.
Sadly not everyone sees a diverse Northern Ireland as an opportunity and the symptoms of this are present with almost daily reports of racist hate crimes and incidents. A minority of individuals choose to attack people or their property simply because they perceive them to be different.
The huge contribution that people from various cultures, countries and backgrounds provide is totally lost on this minority. Not only is it important that we attend events such as the Mela to engage with the public, but it’s also important that we show our support for minority and vulnerable communities and visibly reassure them that the Police Service is there for everyone no matter what their background is.
We are your Police Service and we will continue to do everything possible to protect those who are most vulnerable, regardless of background.
I look forward to Belfast Mela 2012 and sincerely congratulate everyone who made the day such a success.
Thursday, 25 August 2011
Vital police operation a concerted effort
I was delighted to hear that the Tennents Vital concerts at Ward Park in Bangor appear to have been a roaring success.
A huge operation involving Police, the event organisers, local council, Translink and other emergency and voluntary services, helped facilitate the attendance of over 60,000 people over the two evenings.
Events like these are hugely expensive to plan, run and police and it is important to reassure you that the organisers of this event and others like it, are required to part fund the policing operation.
Over the past week approximately 3,000 people have attended a series of performances on successive nights during the ongoing Belsonic 2011 festival at Custom House Square in the centre of Belfast. Police are continuing to work in partnership with organisers, local residents and businesses to facilitate those attending, albeit on a much smaller scale.
While Belsonic 2011 and the police operation supporting it continues, I want to place on record my thanks for the way in which the vast majority of people attending Ward Park conducted themselves. In particular I would like to thank the local community who worked with and supported us.
The fact that the events were so successful and virtually trouble free I hope will secure many more concerts for Ward Park and other venues like it.
Over the two evenings we had a substantial number of police officers on duty ensuring that those attending could arrive, attend and depart safely, while minimising any inconvenience to local residents and businesses.
During the police operation, over 4,000 items of alcohol were seized or surrendered and live updates on the PSNI Bangor Facebook site kept ticket holders and local residents up to date with traffic and concert information.
Some of the comments and suggestions no doubt helped keep some of you amused while you waited to be admitted.
Now that the dust has settled and Bangor is returning to normality, everyone who played a role in bringing these events to Northern Ireland and ensuring that they passed of successfully, can be very proud of their achievement and I look forward to seeing many more events like it in the future.
A huge operation involving Police, the event organisers, local council, Translink and other emergency and voluntary services, helped facilitate the attendance of over 60,000 people over the two evenings.
Events like these are hugely expensive to plan, run and police and it is important to reassure you that the organisers of this event and others like it, are required to part fund the policing operation.
Over the past week approximately 3,000 people have attended a series of performances on successive nights during the ongoing Belsonic 2011 festival at Custom House Square in the centre of Belfast. Police are continuing to work in partnership with organisers, local residents and businesses to facilitate those attending, albeit on a much smaller scale.
While Belsonic 2011 and the police operation supporting it continues, I want to place on record my thanks for the way in which the vast majority of people attending Ward Park conducted themselves. In particular I would like to thank the local community who worked with and supported us.
The fact that the events were so successful and virtually trouble free I hope will secure many more concerts for Ward Park and other venues like it.
Over the two evenings we had a substantial number of police officers on duty ensuring that those attending could arrive, attend and depart safely, while minimising any inconvenience to local residents and businesses.
During the police operation, over 4,000 items of alcohol were seized or surrendered and live updates on the PSNI Bangor Facebook site kept ticket holders and local residents up to date with traffic and concert information.
Some of the comments and suggestions no doubt helped keep some of you amused while you waited to be admitted.
Now that the dust has settled and Bangor is returning to normality, everyone who played a role in bringing these events to Northern Ireland and ensuring that they passed of successfully, can be very proud of their achievement and I look forward to seeing many more events like it in the future.
Friday, 5 August 2011
The Social Media Age of Technology
Facebook and other similar social media outlets, have provided everyone with a fantastic opportunity to engage, publicly or privately, with one another in real time.
Sadly this week certain individuals tried to use this forum for sinister means to publish information and images of police officers, placing them at potential risk. This is absolutely unacceptable and I would encourage anyone who identifies social media sites or posts that place anyone at risk to report this immediately. We will certainly not be deterred from providing a police service by the placing of images or abusive comments on Facebook.
The benefits of Facebook are very clear. Your Police Service has grasped this opportunity and is now running nine Facebook pages and four Twitter accounts throughout Northern Ireland. Not only does this provide us with an opportunity to provide you with information, but it also has provided excellent opportunities for individuals to advise us about what is important, what matters most to local communities, and to debate wider policing issues. I personally follow a number of the Police Service sites and I am very encouraged by the contributions which are being made and the engagement which regularly happens on these sites.
Clearly on occasions we have to step in and remove certain inappropriate content, and no doubt this is no different from other personal and business users. The responsibility for the content each person posts is their own, and recent events have shown how irresponsible comments can become the subject of criminal proceedings. That is not to say we will remove all negative comments. It is right that people have an opportunity to voice their views even if these may be critical of police actions. We can learn a lot from constructive criticism, and this is to be actively encouraged.
We hope over the next few months to make the Police Service of Northern Ireland even more accessible to social media users and I encourage those of you who already live or work in the areas where we currently have sites to follow and engage with us in this way. The feedback to date has been extremely positive and we have been greatly encouraged by the support which we have received.
But if you haven't quite caught the 'social media' bug yet, don't be concerned. This was always intended to be in addition to and not instead of the more traditional means of face to face engagement of visible, accessible and familiar police officers on patrol. And even though many thousands of people in Northern Ireland and beyond follow Facebook - and it's a great way to keep in touch - nothing beats an old fashioned face to face chat.
Sadly this week certain individuals tried to use this forum for sinister means to publish information and images of police officers, placing them at potential risk. This is absolutely unacceptable and I would encourage anyone who identifies social media sites or posts that place anyone at risk to report this immediately. We will certainly not be deterred from providing a police service by the placing of images or abusive comments on Facebook.
The benefits of Facebook are very clear. Your Police Service has grasped this opportunity and is now running nine Facebook pages and four Twitter accounts throughout Northern Ireland. Not only does this provide us with an opportunity to provide you with information, but it also has provided excellent opportunities for individuals to advise us about what is important, what matters most to local communities, and to debate wider policing issues. I personally follow a number of the Police Service sites and I am very encouraged by the contributions which are being made and the engagement which regularly happens on these sites.
Clearly on occasions we have to step in and remove certain inappropriate content, and no doubt this is no different from other personal and business users. The responsibility for the content each person posts is their own, and recent events have shown how irresponsible comments can become the subject of criminal proceedings. That is not to say we will remove all negative comments. It is right that people have an opportunity to voice their views even if these may be critical of police actions. We can learn a lot from constructive criticism, and this is to be actively encouraged.
We hope over the next few months to make the Police Service of Northern Ireland even more accessible to social media users and I encourage those of you who already live or work in the areas where we currently have sites to follow and engage with us in this way. The feedback to date has been extremely positive and we have been greatly encouraged by the support which we have received.
But if you haven't quite caught the 'social media' bug yet, don't be concerned. This was always intended to be in addition to and not instead of the more traditional means of face to face engagement of visible, accessible and familiar police officers on patrol. And even though many thousands of people in Northern Ireland and beyond follow Facebook - and it's a great way to keep in touch - nothing beats an old fashioned face to face chat.
Friday, 29 July 2011
Féile an Phobail / Festival of the People
I have just returned from taking part in one of the Féile an Phobail or Festival of the People events, taking place across West Belfast over the next few weeks.
'Bread and Roses' was a small diverse and intimate event, attended mostly by women, to discuss the achievements of women in their struggle for equality and the barriers still to overcome.
I had the opportunity to take part in a debate and discussion alongside Martina Anderson MLA. Whilst police and politicians will often have to agree to disagree in terms of progressing equality for everyone, Martina and I clearly agree in many areas.
I really enjoy any opportunity to sit down with local people and hear first hand the issues which concern them most, particularly in relation to policing.
In events of this type you would expect that the range of people with very diverse political views would voice some very strong opinions about policing and indeed at the event there were questions about 50:50 recruitment, 'plastic bullets' and the retention of officers and staff of different religions and genders.
But actually there is more in common than that which would divide us. People raised concerns about the economy, poverty and how this links to crime and how people who have child care and carer responsibilities can be facilitated to balance the pressures of home with the need to work.
These are important conversations and whilst the Police Service, the public and private sectors have made significant progress there is absolutely no room for complacency.
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