Write a commentA meeting will be held this Wednesday 7 December, 8pm in Cloughreagh Community Centre to discuss recent Crime in the locality and to also explore the setting up of Neighbourhood Watch Groups within the various areas in Cloughreagh, Derramore, Highstreet and Millvale.
It follows a series of local burglaries which led to nightly patrols on the streets by local residents. The PSNI and members of the PCSP and other agencies will be in attendance.
Councillor Roisin Mulgrew explained "The meeting is a natural follow on from the initial reaction by the community to the surge of criminal activity in the area, where friends and neighbours joined together and walked the streets, called with residents to help allay their fears, watched out for suspicious activity and worked with the local PSNI to try and ensure that those engaged in these dastardly activities were apprehended and brought to justice. The forming of Neighbourhood watch will harness the good work done and consolidate the need for the partnership with the PSNI in their fight against crime".
The Councillor who is facilitating the meeting stated that it was open to all residents from the locality and added "People are determined to in an appropriate and practical way help protect their homes and those of their neighbours against those who wish to rob and destroy. We want to support an efficient and effective strategy by the PSNI against those engaged in criminal activities."
PCSP Statement
Speaking on a Text Alert System and the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme PCSP Chairperson, Councillor Brian Quinn stated, “The PCSP actively promote and support communities working together to address crime in their areas and there are a number of ways that we achieve this. Neighbourhood Watch is an excellent scheme that has been proven to be an effective deterrent in supporting communities to look out for each and report suspicious activity. Members of the public can also sign up to Text Alert scheme to receive PSNI updates direct to your mobile on what to look for and how to report suspicious activity.”
Newry, Mourne and Down District Commander, Superintendent Paul Reid said, “We are aware that members of the community have been carrying out patrols in various parts of area of Newry. I am aware of the concerns within communities, especially in the wake of the series of burglaries recently. It is important that this vigilance does not become vigilante activity. Such activity would not be tolerated in a peaceful society and I would caution any individual or group against taking the law into their own hands. Those who do may themselves risk committing offences that may subsequently leave them liable to prosecution.”
Superintendent Paul Reid continued, “Much good work is already being undertaken by Neighbourhood Watch groups, there are around 170 such groups across Newry, Mourne and Down and I would encourage people to consider joining their nearest group or to discuss how they might form a new group in their own area. Advice is readily available from both PCSP and police.”
