Policing And Community Safety Partnership Hit By 50% Budget Cuts

A recent meeting of the Newry, Mourne and Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership condemned the 50% budget cut imposed by the central Joint Committee.

[caption id="attachment_59159" align="alignleft" width="390"]PCSP Chairman Mickey Larkin looks over the details of the cuts to the budget. PCSP Chairman Mickey Larkin looks over the details of the cuts to the budget.[/caption]

PCSP Chair Cllr Mickey Larkin said: “We are all aware we are living in a time of cuts and austerity, however, for a Partnership with a remit for community safety as well as expanded geographic responsibilities covering from Crossgar to Crossmaglen to have been hit by a 50% cut and still be expected to deliver services to keep people safe and address fear of crime and antisocial behaviour is unacceptable.”

Newly elected Vice-Chair Mr Dan McEvoy added: “The Partnership, bringing together the excellent work of both legacy council PCSP’s, developed a number of projects to address community safety issues, and many of these such as anti-social behaviour interventions, community wardens, strategies to address street drinking and drugs and alcohol generally will not now be possible to roll out.”

The Newry Mourne and Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership will however be rolling out and supporting a reduced programme of actions which include efforts to reduce and address anti-social behaviour and fear of crime such as the scheme to install locks and bolts, a telephone support network, to confront domestic and sexual violence, hate crime, road safety, burglary and rural crime.

For information about the PCSP, contact the office on 0300 013 2233.

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