Public must support Police in drive to lower Alarming Crime Rate - Hillis
Securing additional funding to provide an increased number of police officers on the beat in Portrush is essential if the resort is to see a reduction in crime, East Londonderry UUP Assembly candidate Norman Hillis has said.
The outgoing MLA said he was disturbed to learn that Portrush is top of the crime league and Coleraine in the fourth busiest police station in Northern Ireland.
“We live in an age when crime is increasing and while there must be more finances identified to help the police get on top o the situation, I would also appeal to the public to play its part in helping the police catch those responsible.
“People cannot sit back and criticise when they refuse to come forward with information which could help catch criminals.
“We have now reached a stage where elderly people do not even feel safe in their own homes even in broad daylight. This is not acceptable.
“I believe everyone has a duty to become involved in ensuring we tackle the problem of crime by supporting the police and showing more interest in the work of local District Policing Partnerships which provide a vital channel of communication between the public and the police service.
“It is only through this type of involvement that real moves to counteract the activities of criminals can be formulated and adopted.”