UUP demands explanation from PSNI on part-time officers cutbacks in light of City Centre Pensioner Attack
Following the attacks on two pensioners in Belfast City centre last night, one of whom died in hospital, East Belfast UUP MLA Michael Copeland today demanded an explanation from the PSNI as to why Part-Time Officers hours have been drastically cut. The part-time officers principal role is walking the beat.
It has also emerged that City Centre business’ contributed somewhere in the region of £50,000 to the police for more presence on the streets. Mr Copeland today also asked the police how this £50,000 was spent.
In a statement Mr Copeland said,
“One of the most common public complaints I come across is the lack of visibility of the police on the ground. Many feel that the presence of the police on the beat is both re-assuring and a deterrent to criminals or those who seek to engage in anti-social behaviour.
The attack on the two pensioners in the City Centre is symptomatic of the problem of part-time officers who are having their hours dramatically cut.
The community are crying out for more police on the beat and business’ in the city centre have dug into their pockets to have more of a police presence.
I am demanding an explanation for the drastic cuts in part-time hours. As far as I can see, and in particularly light of these latest attacks, there is no justification for cutting part-time officers hours whatsoever.”