02/12/2016

Dispute In Carrick Estate Costs PSNI £1.6m In Five Months

The PSNI has spent £1.6 million in the past five months amid a dispute in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim.

The row, in the Castlemara estate, is between the South East Antrim UDA and a local family which has been ongoing since July.

Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin said nine people had been charged in relation to the situation since May and that police presence was required in the area on a daily basis.

Alliance East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson said the amount of money being spent is "scandalous".

He said: "The revelation that the PSNI has spent £1.6m over the last five months keeping two criminal gangs apart is a public scandal. This is an absolute waste of police time and public money. Money that should be spent on normal day to day community policing.





"The police have confirmed that nine people have been charged with a range of offences, including drugs, intimidation, and possession of weapons. The police have also recovered guns and cocaine during searches. Clearly the gangs involved in this dispute care nothing about the people living in this area, many of whom are living in fear."


(CD/LM)

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