Newtownabbey DPP Chair say police budget cuts will be devastating

Chair of Newtownabbey District Policing Partnership, Cllr Tom Campbell, has expressed real concern at news that plans for civilian police officers have been shelved. He stated that the shelving of plans coupled with the reduction of police overtime could create a crisis situation.

Newtownabbey Alliance Councillor Tom Campbell said: This is a matter of massive concern for the whole community.

“We have been told that the provision of these PCSOs were vita,l and now we are not getting them at all. This devastating blow could create a crisis situation in policing. I do not want to see community confidence in policing dented further at this important time.

“The reduction of police overtime hours will compound these problems even further.

“Anti-social behaviour can make local people’s lives hell. This lack of progress on staffing will hurt efforts to combat this massive problem.”

ENDS