Despite being under the constraints of budget cuts and local re-organisation, police in C District have made nearly 200 arrests as part of a series of high visibility policing operations over the Christmas and New Year period which were focussed on keeping people safe.
The high visibility operations, which were launched on 27 November 27, saw an increased police presence throughout the Ards, Castlereagh, Down and North Down areas as the police endeavoured to create a safer environment and deter and detect criminals who tried to exploit the festive season for their own selfish gain.
Superintendent Sean Wright, Operations Manager for the District, explained: “Over the festive period, more people are out and about and we wanted to do everything we could to ensure everyone was kept safer on the roads, when they were socialising and when they were in their homes.
“The high visibility policing operations focused on the issues which have been identified as priorities in your local policing plans – such as reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads, reducing the number of burglaries and dealing with the issues of domestic abuse, antisocial behaviour and drugs.
“Of the 197 arrests between 27 November and 5 January, 45 were in relation to assaults, including domestic related incidents, 26 were in relation to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, 24 were in relation to disorderly behaviour or possession of an offensive weapon and 14 were in relation to theft or shop lifting. We also carried out a number of vehicle check points and searches across the District.
“While you were enjoying the Christmas season, we had additional officers on patrol in your areas, working hard to keep everyone safe as well as preventing and detecting crime.
“We will continue to do everything we can to protect you, your loved ones and your property in 2015 but everyone also has a responsibility to keep themselves and each other safe and to work with police so that together, we can make a difference.”
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