NIPS Appoints Director Of Offender Policy And Operations

The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) has announced that Phil Wragg has been appointed as the new Director of Offender Policy and Operations.

NIPS Director General, Sue McAllister said: "The focus of the Northern Ireland Prison Service over the last three years has been to work with offenders, reduce their risk of re-offending and to help build a safer community in Northern Ireland. As we enter the next stage in that work it is vital that we have an experienced Director of Offender Policy and Operations.

"Phil Wragg has over 25 years experience working in prisons, including governing Belmarsh which houses some of the most challenging individuals in custody. He will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role."

Sectarian attack In L'Derry Condemned

SDLP Waterside Councillor Gerard Diver has condemned a sectarian attack on a family in the Triangle area of Derry.

A 19-year-old was accosted by a large gang who shouted sectarian slurs. The gang then proceeded to attack the young man’s home where his family were present.

Speaking after the attack Councillor Diver said: "Regrettably, despite the progress that has been made over recent years, serious acts of violent sectarianism still occur. This family has had to suffer a disgraceful and terrifying attack and are now considering having to leave their family home.

"As a community we should be extremely concerned about hate crimes such as this, and do everything in our power to prevent them. No-one wants to see a return to the past, where attacks like this were part of everyday life.

"My thoughts are with the young man and his family and I would appeal for anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the Triangle and Dungiven Road areas on Monday evening last to pass details on to the PSNI as a matter of urgency."

Increase In Household Recycling

Household recycling in Northern Ireland has increased by 0.5%, compared to the same January to March period last year.

The amount of compostable materials sent for recycling reached 24,756 tonnes, while materials like paper, metal, glass and plastic also increased to 46,913 tonnes in this quarter.

This means an additional 1,351 tonnes of mostly compostable waste was recycled which led to the household waste composting rate increasing by 0.5 percentage points.

(CD/MH)