To give rural communities an opportunity to have their say on policing priorities for the next three years the Board has set up a stand at this year’s Balmoral Show.
With a huge footfall at the Show, this has proved an excellent opportunity to find out what people living in rural communities, and others visiting the show, want from their police service.
Speaking about the consultation Board Chair Anne Connolly said: “We know that people living in more rural areas have concerns about crime and agri-crime in particular has a major impact on the farming community. A presence at the Balmoral Show has given us a great opportunity to hear some of those views and find out where people want police resources focused.
One of the key roles of the Board is to develop the annual Policing Plan, which sets out the strategic policing priorities and objectives for the period ahead and includes targets and measures for the PSNI to achieve. One of the new measures in the 2015-16 Plan includes a reduction in the number of crimes occurring in a rural area by 2% compared to the number recorded for 2014-15.
As we prepare for the next 3 year period (2016-2019) the Board wants to make sure that the new Policing Plan reflects priorities for those living in rural communities.
All the views obtained through the ongoing survey, consultation and meetings will be used to shape this. I would like to thank those who have taken time at the Show to share their views with us.”
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For further information, please contact the Northern Ireland Policing Board’s Communications Office on 07801738795.
Notes to editors
1. The 2015-16 Policing Plan is produced in accordance with the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. It is prepared by the Chief Constable, agreed and published by the Policing Board following consultation with the Minister of Justice.
2. As part of the Policing Plan consultation the Board is undertaking an EQIA on the Policing Plan 2015-16. Copies of the Policing Plan and EQIA documentation are available from the Board’s website on www.nipolicingboard.org.uk.
3. The online Questionnaire on policing priorities is available to complete on the Board’s website at www.nipolicingboard.org.uk.
4. As part of the consultation the Board will also be holding a Public Meeting in the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Islandview Room, Oxford Island, Craigavon, BT66 6NJ on Wednesday 17 June from 7pm.
Notes to editors ends