Policing Matters: the focus of seminar series

The Northern Ireland Policing Board hosted the first in a series of lunchtime seminars today. Drawing on expert opinions from across the policing and criminal justice sector, the seminars provide an opportunity to explore issues and discuss how policing policy and practice can best respond to meet the challenges ahead.

At ‘A Policing Plan for Northern Ireland: Delivering and Managing Public Expectations’, Policing Board Chair Anne Connolly was joined by Chief Constable George Hamilton to set out the published plans for policing over the next year and explain the themes, measures and outcomes set for the PSNI.

Board Chair Anne Connolly said:

“Policing is a key public service and it is important to have debate and discussion on issues that impact policing and how the service is delivered to the community.  This first seminar sets out what the Board agreed as priority areas in the 17/18 Policing Plan and how these fit with delivery of the longer term outcomes set for the PSNI to achieve by 2020.  

The latest recorded crime figures are the lowest on record but crime is changing, as are the demands on policing. Whilst the traditional types of crime continue to have an impact, crimes committed online and crimes against those who are vulnerable are increasing. These types of crime often have a high victim impact and can be much more complex and resource intensive to deal with. 

“The resourcing challenges for the PSNI in the time ahead are significant and discussions will continue with the Chief Constable on the funding being made available to the service for delivery.  As such the public need to better understand the demands placed on policing and how the police prioritise those in day to day delivery of the service to the community.”

A copy of the topics being discussed as part of the seminar series can be found on the Board’s website at www.nipolicingboard.org.uk

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For further information please contact the Board’s Communications Office on 07801 738795

Notes to editors

The Policing Plan 2017-18 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. View the Policing Plan 2017-18.

View A Policing Plan for Northern Ireland: Delivery and meeting public expectations

Notes to editors ends.