Police aim to improve public service
Thursday, 2 October 2008
Sergeant Lorraine Connor, UUP councillor and Moyle District Policing Partnership representative William Graham, and Constable Willie Currie pictured at Bushmills Police Station.
The police stations in Bushmills and Cushendall will commence trial opening hours this week in an attempt to improve the level of service to the public.
From Tuesday, (September 30) Cushendall station will be open on a Wednesday and Saturday from 6pm until 7pm, while Bushmills station will be open on Tuesday and Friday, from 6pm until 7pm.
Moyle police inspector, Bryan Hume, said the new trial opening hours will allow local people the opportunity to have a specified time when Neighbourhood Policing Team officers can be spoken too and problems discussed.
It will also give an opportunity for members of the public to make appointments to see officers.
The decision to change the opening hours was taken due to the police shift pattern, which made it difficult or impossible for police officers to be available at set times.
“The opening times have been introduced as the public were asking for times that they could come and speak to local officers. It is hoped this will be a success and the public will use this facility," said Inspector Hume.
As well as the trial opening times in Bushmills and Cushendall, the police plan to hold monthly surgeries in Armoy, Mosside and Ballintoy.
Inspector Hume said: "Just because the police stations will have limited openings doesn't mean there will be less of police presence, does it?
“The surgeries will occur monthly and we are still in discussion with local organisations to use rooms and halls etc. The surgeries, again are an opportunity for the public to speak to their local officers, and are an opportunity for us to put out our crime prevention message, which is much better than attending a crime at a later date."
It is hoped that the opening times will give an additional element to local policing in the Moyle district, but the trial will be reviewed, as with all new initiatives.
Public meetings
There will also be local public meetings in all areas to discuss problems that have recently been identified through the Post Card campaign, asking certain areas to pick there top three problems.
From these, the police have identified the top three problems in each area.
In Bushmills, parking issues on Main Street, underage drinking, and the need for a greater police presence and more beats were identified, while in Cushendall, speeding, underage drinking and youths causing annoyance were the main concerns.
In Ballycastle, drugs, alcohol problems and anti-social behaviour, including cars causing annoyance were identified as problem issues.
In Ballintoy, speeding, drink driving and the children's play area were of most concern.
Inspector Hume said these are not all police problems alone, and the police have been working with partners to help where they can.
They have already spoken to DRD and NCP relating to the parking issue in Bushmills.
The Post Card initative and door step interviews will continue, and Inspector Hume said he would encourage everyone to complete and return the forms, as it is a good avenue for your voice to be heard. At each public meeting, a total breakdown of the figures will be available for discussion.
Bushmills and Cushendall both have two officers in their Neighbourhood Policing Teams, and they are supported by their Ballycastle and response colleagues.
Inspector Hume said he now hoped there will be more of a police presence, as Ballycastle personnel will be assisting with the trial opening hours.
Ballycastle police station is currently open from 8.00am until 8pm daily.
