Frew presses Northern Ireland Secretary over Ballymena immigration concerns & ‘Red Zone’ status

Inset: North Antrim MLA Paul Frew

North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has written to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, seeking clarity over immigration issues and the classification of Ballymena as a “Red Zone”.

The correspondence follows recent disorder in the town, which Mr Frew says has left many residents with unanswered questions about the UK Government’s response and future plans.

Mr Frew expressed concern that, while the international spotlight may have shifted away, the problems facing Ballymena remain unresolved.

“I have written to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to outline my concern that now the eyes of the worlds media are no longer on the situation here in Ballymena that it does not mean the issues and concerns have gone away,” he said.

“I have made the Secretary of State aware that I feel the Government must do more to address these concerns. I reiterated my belief that there must be a multi-agency task force installed at pace that will include all relevant Government Departments to help ensure extra support is delivered on the ground to those areas that need it.”

Calls for clarity on “Red Zone” status

Central to Mr Frew’s letter was the question of Ballymena’s designation as a “Red Zone” in relation to immigration.

He has requested a full explanation from the Northern Ireland Secretary as to how the classification was reached, what criteria were applied, and what the designation means in policing terms for local people.

“I have also sought clarity from the Secretary of State as to why Ballymena has been constituted as a ‘Red Zone’,” he explained.

“I have asked the Northern Ireland Secretary to outline why exactly Ballymena has fallen into such a category, what criteria was used to classify the town as such and crucially what does this mean in Police terms for the people of Ballymena.”

Response from the Secretary of State

Mr Frew confirmed that Hilary Benn had replied to his letter, passing his queries on to colleagues in the Home Office for further detail.

“I am grateful to the Secretary of State for replying to my letter and passing on my questions regarding the ‘Red Zone’ classification to his Governmental colleagues in the Home Office,” he said.

“I will continue to speak up for the people of Ballymena and raise their concerns at every available opportunity, I also remain steadfast in my belief that the UK Government must step up and deliver on the ground where issues still remain.

“As always, I will ensure full transparency and will keep constituents and concerned residents up to date with answers as and when I receive them.”