DUP delegation challenges PSNI on ‘two-tier’ approach to public disorder response

(L-R) Policing Board members Cheryl Brownlees MLA Trevor Clarke MLA, Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton, Paul Frew MLA for North Antrim, Joanne Bunting MLA Chairperson of the Justice Committee/DUP justice Spokesperson and Policing Board member Keith Buchanan MLA 

A senior DUP delegation has raised concerns with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) regarding what they describe as stark differences in policing tactics and judicial outcomes between Ballymena and Londonderry in response to public disorder incidents.

The meeting, convened with Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton, was organised by Trevor Clarke MLA, the Democratic Unionist Party’s lead representative on the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

Among the attendees was Paul Frew, MLA for North Antrim, who has voiced growing alarm over what he called a “damaging appearance of a two-tier justice system.”

“At this meeting with Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton, organised by The DUP’s lead Policing Board representative Trevor Clarke MLA, I was able to raise the serious issues around the different approaches used in how they treat people from Ballymena compared to Londonderry, including remand and bail conditions, the deployment of Baton Rounds, the use of water cannon and the ever increasing tensions in the community around the very damaging appearance of a two-tier justice system which includes not only PSNI but PPS and Courts as well,” Mr Frew said.

According to Frew, the PSNI acknowledged frustrations with some of the bail decisions made in Londonderry and committed to reviewing the relevant operations.

“The PSNI said they would look back on the operations and did illustrate their frustrations at some of the decisions re bail conditions in Londonderry.”

In response to these concerns, further steps are being taken by local representatives.

Ballymena councillor Tyler Hoey has submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request regarding the PSNI’s use of baton rounds and water cannon in Londonderry compared to Ballymena.

Meanwhile, Cllr Lawrie Philpott has formally contacted the Justice Minister to raise the issue of whether bail conditions are being applied unevenly based on geographical area.

“Moving forward Cllr Tyler Hoey has put in a Freedom of Information request to the PSNI on the use of baton rounds and water cannon in Londonderry compared to Ballymena and Cllr Lawrie Philpott has sent a letter to the Justice Minister about the setting of bail conditions by postcodes.”

The DUP delegation’s efforts are set to continue locally, with further discussions planned between elected representatives and neighbourhood police in Ballymena.

“I will lead a delegation of local DUP elected representatives to meet with the local neighbourhood police officers in Ballymena tomorrow morning to discuss several concerns,” Mr Frew added.

The developments come amid heightened scrutiny over police handling of disorder and broader concerns across Northern Ireland over fairness and consistency in the criminal justice system.