Menu
19/05/2010
Car Crime Unit Stays On Track
There's been a welcome for news that a contentious decision to shut down a dedicated car crime police unit in west Belfast has been overturned.
The temporary reprieve follows protests from the victims' group, Families Bereaved through Car Crime who fear more people could be killed by so-called 'joyriders'.
Last week, police said Auto Crime Unit members would be moved to other duties.
However, in a statement on Wednesday, the PSNI said the unit would remain in place until at least December when a full review would be carried out.
Police said they would work with the community to consider the best way forward.
"Officers are fully committed to continually refocusing and improving the service in the greater west Belfast area and effectively addressing all criminality and the concerns of the community," the statement said.
SDLP West Belfast MLA Alex Attwood has also moved to welcome the PSNI's reversal of a decision to close its Auto Crime Unit in West Belfast.
He said: "This is positive. The Auto Crime Unit always had a particular significance. It demonstrated a police commitment to tackle death driving and acted as a bridge between the police and the community not expressed before. Its continuation at least for six months is the right way to go.
"I spoke to the west Belfast commander about this issue last week and I had the sense that the police would look at the issue again. It's good that they have done so.
"It demonstrates that they do listen to the community and can adjust how they do policing in response to genuine community concerns," he said.
Sinn Féin West Belfast MP Gerry Adams has also welcomed this morning's news and said that a delegation, including Fra McCann MLA, Councillor Marie Cush and representatives from the west Belfast Community Safety Forum, yesterday morning met senior PSNI officers in Parliament Buildings, including Alastair Finlay, ACC Belfast region of the PSNI; Mark Hamilton, PSNI Chief Supt for North & West Belfast; and Emma Mooney, PSNI Chief Inspector for west Belfast.
He said that he had asked for this meeting with the PSNI in order to review recent developments in the aftermath of Seamus Fox's murder and to discuss the development of a policing strategy to curtail violent crime and counter anti-social hotspots in west Belfast.
Also on the agenda was the decision by the PSNI to scrap the auto-crime unit. Commenting, Mr Adams said: "The decision to keep this unit in place until January of next year while a consultation takes place with the community on agreeing how to take this issue forward, is a positive development.
"It is evidence of the merits of the PSNI and community groups engaging on policing issues."
(BMcC/GK)
The temporary reprieve follows protests from the victims' group, Families Bereaved through Car Crime who fear more people could be killed by so-called 'joyriders'.
Last week, police said Auto Crime Unit members would be moved to other duties.
However, in a statement on Wednesday, the PSNI said the unit would remain in place until at least December when a full review would be carried out.
Police said they would work with the community to consider the best way forward.
"Officers are fully committed to continually refocusing and improving the service in the greater west Belfast area and effectively addressing all criminality and the concerns of the community," the statement said.
SDLP West Belfast MLA Alex Attwood has also moved to welcome the PSNI's reversal of a decision to close its Auto Crime Unit in West Belfast.
He said: "This is positive. The Auto Crime Unit always had a particular significance. It demonstrated a police commitment to tackle death driving and acted as a bridge between the police and the community not expressed before. Its continuation at least for six months is the right way to go.
"I spoke to the west Belfast commander about this issue last week and I had the sense that the police would look at the issue again. It's good that they have done so.
"It demonstrates that they do listen to the community and can adjust how they do policing in response to genuine community concerns," he said.
Sinn Féin West Belfast MP Gerry Adams has also welcomed this morning's news and said that a delegation, including Fra McCann MLA, Councillor Marie Cush and representatives from the west Belfast Community Safety Forum, yesterday morning met senior PSNI officers in Parliament Buildings, including Alastair Finlay, ACC Belfast region of the PSNI; Mark Hamilton, PSNI Chief Supt for North & West Belfast; and Emma Mooney, PSNI Chief Inspector for west Belfast.
He said that he had asked for this meeting with the PSNI in order to review recent developments in the aftermath of Seamus Fox's murder and to discuss the development of a policing strategy to curtail violent crime and counter anti-social hotspots in west Belfast.
Also on the agenda was the decision by the PSNI to scrap the auto-crime unit. Commenting, Mr Adams said: "The decision to keep this unit in place until January of next year while a consultation takes place with the community on agreeing how to take this issue forward, is a positive development.
"It is evidence of the merits of the PSNI and community groups engaging on policing issues."
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 January 2013
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
02 September 2005
West Belfast community group gets £40k funding
A west Belfast community group, set up to deal with so-called joyriding and other forms of anti-social behaviour, is to receive a £40,000 boost from the Government, it was revealed today.
West Belfast community group gets £40k funding
A west Belfast community group, set up to deal with so-called joyriding and other forms of anti-social behaviour, is to receive a £40,000 boost from the Government, it was revealed today.
09 March 2016
Teen Arrested Over Security Alert In West Belfast
A teenager has been arrested following a security alert at a west Belfast police station. The incident occurred at Woodbourne PSNI station on Tuesday. Army bomb disposal experts attended the scene after a suspicious object was discovered. It was later declared an "elaborate hoax" by the police.
Teen Arrested Over Security Alert In West Belfast
A teenager has been arrested following a security alert at a west Belfast police station. The incident occurred at Woodbourne PSNI station on Tuesday. Army bomb disposal experts attended the scene after a suspicious object was discovered. It was later declared an "elaborate hoax" by the police.
25 August 2010
Woodburn Police Pipe Bomb Condemned
A local political reprehensive has slammed those behind an attempted bomb attack at a police station over the past weekend. Sinn Féin MLA for West Belfast Sue Ramsey has stated that those behind a pipe bomb attack on Woodburn PSNI station continue to endanger the local community.
Woodburn Police Pipe Bomb Condemned
A local political reprehensive has slammed those behind an attempted bomb attack at a police station over the past weekend. Sinn Féin MLA for West Belfast Sue Ramsey has stated that those behind a pipe bomb attack on Woodburn PSNI station continue to endanger the local community.
16 May 2003
Man remanded in custody after injuring seven PSNI officers
A Belfast man was remanded in custody at Belfast Magistrates Court today after being charged with assaulting seven PSNI officers in the early hours of yesterday morning. 19-year-old Kevin Phillips from Glencolin Court is facing 16 charges following a high-speed car chase through west Belfast.
Man remanded in custody after injuring seven PSNI officers
A Belfast man was remanded in custody at Belfast Magistrates Court today after being charged with assaulting seven PSNI officers in the early hours of yesterday morning. 19-year-old Kevin Phillips from Glencolin Court is facing 16 charges following a high-speed car chase through west Belfast.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
