Keeping safe this summer

As many prepare to head of locally or further afield for a break over the summer months, I want to remind you all that a few simple precautions which in addition to keeping you and your family safe while you are away, will help ensure your property is protected during your travels.

Unfortunately criminals know that many homes and businesses will be unoccupied for extended periods of time in the weeks ahead and they will seek to exploit this where possible.

If you are leaving your home unattended, arrange for someone you trust to visit it regularly and remove any build up of post, cancel any regular deliveries such as milk or papers and use timers to bring lights or a radio on in different areas of your home during the hours of darkness to give the impression that there is someone at home. If you do not have an alarm fitted, give serious consideration to having one installed - not only is this a deterrent but will audibly alert people that something is not right. If you own a business similar precautions are worth considering.

If you are travelling on the roads whether at home or abroad, check your vehicle is safe to travel, carefully plan your journey, know your route and make sure that you have a means to call for assistance whether it's a fully charged mobile phone, some cash or a phone card. Don't stop if someone flags you down and only give lifts to people that you know. Also keep your doors locked and your valuables hidden from view.

When driving abroad it is important to concentrate fully, do not become distracted and remember to stop somewhere safe if you want to have a look around - remember criminals abroad will try to exploit every opportunity just the same as at home and will try to take advantage of those who may be less familiar with their surroundings.

Think carefully about where you will store money and personal documents, such as passports. Only carry the money that you need at that time and make sure that you conceal it or keep a firm hold on your bag. If there is safe make sure that you use it.

Further crime prevention advice is available on our website at http://www.psni.police.uk/

It's very easy to become overly concerned about personal and home safety but by taking some very practical and simple precautions the chances of becoming a victim of crime whilst away from home will be greatly reduced.

I hope you all, whether holidaying at home or abroad, have a very enjoyable, relaxing and most importantly safe summer.

Graduation success for Kilcooley Women’s Centre

I was delighted yesterday morning to have been invited by Kilcooley Women's Centre to attend their 17th annual graduation ceremony to celebrate the achievement of learners.

Receiving certificates were dozens of women, and a few men, who had taken up the challenge of developing their skills and knowledge through further learning.  It was a diverse group of all ages and backgrounds and many of them had overcome significant personal challenges and demonstrated a sheer determination to do something that many would simply think too difficult.  The was a real sense of achievement as the ladies and gentlemen came forward to receive certificates ranging  from make-up to crafts, computers to maths, GCSE  English and Psychology and British/Irish History to Peace and Reconciliation.  I had the pleasure of chatting with many of the recipients afterwards and want again to add my sincere congratulations to every one of them.

It was very clear to me the fantastic support which the centre is providing to the local community.  People who see the potential in everyone regardless of who they are or where they have come from - it was truly inspiring to see so many people working together not just to develop individuals but for the greater good of their local community.

I understand that there are around 250 women enrolled in educational classes and some of those who have participated have literally been handed a lifeline and an opportunity to turn their lives around.  The centre is literally 'bringing education to the heart of the community.'

I was also pleased to see the local Neighbourhood Police Officers in attendance and this was further evidence of how important it is for the police to work with and in the local community and for the local community to work with the police. 

Personal policing in Foyle

I spent yesterday out and about in Derry/Londonderry.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Firefighters graduate

Yesterday afternoon I was delighted to accept an invitation from Chief Fire Officer, Peter Craig, to attend the graduation of 36 Firefighters at their training college in South Belfast.

As this was one of Peter’s last formal engagements before he retires, after 36 years of public service, it would be remiss of me not to pass on my personal thanks, and those of the Police Service, to Peter for his support to us over many years. I wish him a long, happy and healthy retirement.

Thirty Six men and women were celebrating the completion of their initial training before joining their new colleagues at their fire stations across Northern Ireland. I joined their very proud family members and friends as they demonstrated the skills which they had been taught over the past 18 weeks with a number of practical displays.

I admire each of them for their determination and desire to serve all the people of Northern Ireland and like police officers, they will be called upon to engage with danger as others make their way to safety.

We work very closely with our friends in the Fire and Rescue Service and the other blue light responders. We are looking forward to strengthening that relationship over the next few years as we prepare to begin the construction of the new Community Safety Services College at Desertcreat in Cookstown. This exciting venture will see police officers, firefighters and prison officers train under one roof.

Next summer we will also welcome the World Police & Fire Games to Belfast. This is the third largest sporting event in the world with a potential of 10,000 competitors and a further 15,000 accompanying visitors. And the Police Service, Fire and Rescue Service and Prison Service look forward to welcoming our colleagues from across the globe to Northern Ireland.

But as these new firefighters make their way to their new postings, I wish each of them a long, very enjoyable and safe career. I encourage you to give them your full support, listen to the important advice they give and make sure that when they are responding to calls to keep us all safe, that they can do so free from intimidation and confrontation.

A day of contrast

Tuesday was a day of contrasting opportunities to visit local communities in the morning and colleagues undergoing training in the afternoon.

In the morning I visited the Dunmurry Neighbourhood Policing Team and went out on patrol with them in Dunmurry village and also in the Colin area of West Belfast.

Firstly I visited the Dunmurry Community Association at Fullerton Park where I heard first hand, from Billy Thompson, about the fantastic initiatives which members of the local community, in partnership with police, are pioneering to help local young people and provide them with activities to keep them safe and divert them away from criminality and anti social behaviour.

I am always amazed and greatly inspired by the work of volunteers who have a heart for their local community and choose to give freely of their time to make things better for others.

I then had the opportunity to meet with local community, political and council representatives, members from Community Restorative Justice Ireland (CRJI) and statutory service providers at an informal meeting at the offices of CRJI on the Colinglen Road, Belfast.

It was fantastic to hear about how these individuals and their organisations, are working together with local police to help make the local community feel, and keep, safer and to help local communities deal with those issues that really matter to them. The transformation in relationships between the police and the community is quite remarkable and I applaud those both within the community and the police who have pushed the boundaries and taken risks to build that trust and confidence which is so clearly making a difference.

From Dunmurry I headed to Ballykinler in County Down where I joined colleagues who were undertaking public order training. The purpose of the day was to allow multiple public order units to train together in readiness for any situation they might encounter in the future.

There were a number of observers from other agencies present, including the Police Ombudsman’s Office, Learning Advisory Council, Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), Fire Service and the Home Office. The MPS and Home Office representatives were particularly interested to see how our tactics, including less lethal options such as water cannon and the deployment of attenuating energy projectiles (AEPs or baton rounds).

The exercises take place in the tactical village and is a safe learning environment to train for a variety of scenarios from peaceful protests, to public disorder with a ballistic threat. It allows us to ensure that when we do have to respond to public disorder, that we have the ability to deliver a flexible, gradual, proportionate and professional response to the situation.

I am always very impressed by the courage and restraint of PSNI officers who show professionalism in the face of often serious and sustained violence towards them.

Whether on the streets of Dunmurry or West Belfast delivering policing with the community, or keeping communities safe in the face of actual or potential public disorder, your police service works tirelessly 24/7 to ensure that everyone receives personal, professional and protective policing.

I thank those of you who continually work with us to achieve this goal and encourage you to continue to do so. It is very clearly making a difference.

Policing in Armagh

Earlier this week I had the privilege of spending some time with officers and staff in South Armagh and in Armagh City. It is always very encouraging to see first hand how personal, professional and protective policing is being delivered locally.

I was greatly encouraged by the examples of how police are pushing the boundaries locally, engaging with the community and how the community is embracing local policing.

The only way that policing can be truly effective, is with the support and involvement of local communities. I very much applaud those who have taken risks to support local policing initiatives.

I was also able to visit Lisanally Special School in Armagh City with members of the local Neighbourhood Policing Team. I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet with Mrs Sandra Flynn, the Principal, staff members and pupils, learning about their facilities and curriculum, but I especially enjoyed a visit to a Home Economics class and some freshly cooked potato wedges!

The teachers and staff are truly inspirational people with a very clear desire and passion to see the children and young people achieve their very best potential in life. When you have the opportunity to meet with special people like this, it brings a lot of things into perspective.

The visit was a great opportunity for me, but unfortunately because of the responsibilities of my role, it doesn't happen often enough. But it is important that I take the time to see first hand how the policing vision is translating into reality in our local communities.

I am rarely disappointed by the lengths to which officers and staff are going, and the determination they have to ensure that every single community can have a policing service which they desire and deserve.

Crime statistics released

The 2011/12 Police Service of Northern Ireland Crime Statistics were published today.

 

The statistics are available in full on the PSNI website at www.psni.police.uk  but the key findings are:-

 

1. There were 103,389 recorded crimes - a reduction of 1,651 recorded crimes (-1.6%).
2. The number of crimes recorded is the lowest since the new Home Office counting rules were introduced in 1998/99.
3. The number of victims of sexual offences, robbery, burglary, fraud & forgery and criminal damage have reduced.
4. The number of violence against the person, some theft and drug offences increased.
5. The overall detection (clearance) rate in 2011/12 decreased by 1.0 percentage point from 27.3% in 2010/11 to 26.3% in 2011/12.
6. Reports of domestic abuse increased by 11.1%
7. Reports of hate crimes and incidents decreased across all recorded categories - sectarian, racist, homophobic, transphobic, faith, disabilist.

As with any recorded statistics there is always some good news and some not so good news. It is important to acknowledge that the good news is as a direct result of the community working with their Police Service in their delivery of personal, professional and protective policing.

 

You have my commitment that our determination to continue to tackle crime and deal with those issues that matter most to you will be relentless.

 

In the figures there is a reported reduction of 1% in the detection or clearance rate and this could be easily interpreted as fewer crimes cleared. In fact, whilst we would always aspire to make more detections, this figure does not take into account the additional 3% detected but dealt with by Discretionary disposals, this equates to almost 3,000 disposals for crimes.

 

These are crimes that are comparatively minor by virtue of the impact and/or seriousness and where the victim and offender agree on a suitable form of reparation such as an apology, reparation or some other form of restorative outcome.

 

This may at times appear to some be a 'soft option', but the delivery of a speedy outcome has led to increased satisfaction levels amongst victims of crime. This type of disposal is not currently included in the counting rules, otherwise our detection rate would have been around 29%.

 

Whilst the Police Service of Northern Ireland take some comfort from certain areas of performance, there is absolutely no room for complacency and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that we continue to tackle serious harm, detect those responsible and keep communities safer.