Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland's latest inspection report, examining community safety strategy in Northern Ireland and partnership working, has been published today.
Welcoming the Report, Policing Board Chair Deirdre Toner said:
“The publication of the inspection report on Community Safety and Local Policing Arrangements in Northern Ireland by Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) is welcomed by the Policing Board.
It evidences the importance and value of Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) and the positive relationships that have been built by officers within communities, and in working with Policing and Community Safety Partnerships and other agencies on solving issues of local concern.
We know from discussions with the Chief Constable resourcing pressures and resultant reducing officer numbers are having a detrimental impact on the operational resilience of the service. Concerns expressed in this review on the impact of officers being regularly abstracted from Neighbourhood Policing Teams to other areas of the service are shared by Board Members. The future viability of NPTs is questionable if officer numbers remain at current levels.
As a Board we know the value of policing with the community and continued investment in this is central to building safer communities. We fully support the Chief Constable in his lobby for the resources to properly deliver that.”
Ends
For further information please contact the Board's Communications office on 02890 408 500 or information@nipolicingboard.org.uk
Notes to Editors
A copy of the CJI NI Report can be found here: https://www.cjini.org/TheInspections/Inspection-Reports/2024/Jan-Mar/Community-Safety-and-Local-Policing-Inspection