Separate policing unit for city centre
Belfast Media
South Belfast News
By Scott Jamison
A separate policing unit for Belfast city centre is to be created in order to stop resources being drained away from the south of the city, according to a local MLA.
Michael McGimpsey was speaking after a meeting with Chief Superintendent George Hamilton, Commander of B District, which encompasses South and East Belfast.
Currently, the city centre comes under the South Belfast unit, meaning resources are often stretched in other areas in order to deal with late night revellers.
Mr McGimpsey said although the crime rate in South Belfast has fallen recently, further work was still needed.
“The city centre has been extended now to take in the Odyssey and the docklands, which means residents in South Belfast have police cover effectively removed in order to cope with anti-social behaviour. The police view is that officers need to go where they’re needed, which puts pressure on the rest. To give credit, the current crime levels in South Belfast are much improved, but with figures nearly double other areas in Belfast, it is still much too high.
“A dedicated city centre policing unit, so there is a compliment of officers available who don’t get taken away to deal with issues elsewhere, would improve things further.”
The UUP MLA met last week with Chief Superintendent Hamilton and said the meeting was “productive”, with a number of issues raised.
“It was constructive in that several topics were talked about, namely those that make people feel unsafe.
“Separating South Belfast from the rest of the city centre is an important step and the PSNI should be congratulated on considering the idea.”
Recent city centre incidents include the vicious assault of rugby fan Paul Newton in Bradbury Place and the stabbing of Hugh McNally outside Cosgrove’s Bar in King Street.
Mr McGimpsey said events such as these backed his call for a specialised unit.
“The dreadful crimes that have occurred lately make people feel unsafe, which is unacceptable.
“While it is fair to say progress is being made in tackling those types of crimes, more progress is needed.
“Residents in South Belfast feel the activity in the city centre is creating a focus for attention that makes them feel they are being treated with less weight.
“People in South Belfast must have the cover that is required.”
A PSNI spokesperson confirmed all neighbourhood areas in the city were being reviewed.
“As part of that review, the PSNI is exploring the possibility of making Belfast city centre a designated area, given that it has its own specific needs. Any new designated areas would be within the structures of B District and there will be no new district command units created.”
