Poor lighting, derelict buildings and unsafe paths targeted in PSNI safety push

A railway bridge in Ballymena where concerns were raised over alleged drug and alcohol use

Mid and East Antrim community groups have been urged to take part in a “walk and talk” with the PSNI in a bid to help reduce crime in their local areas.

Speaking at a recent online meeting of Mid and East Antrim Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP), Chief Inspector Siobhan Watt outlined an initiative that has already been rolled out in the borough as part of the PSNI’s Project Vigilant: Safer Streets programme.

Chief Inspector Watt explained that walk and talk events are being held to “address community concerns, reduce fear of crime and increase community confidence”.

Thirteen events have been held across Northern Ireland in association with local councils and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), highlighting issues such as derelict buildings, poor lighting and riverside paths.

“We want to provide communities with a voice and ensure communities are heard. Where areas of concern are highlighted, other agencies need to work alongside police and the community,” the officer stated.

The first walk and talk event in Mid and East Antrim was held in Ballymena last summer, led by Inspector Jock McToal, following disorder in the town in June.

Inspector McToal said: “It came at a good time on the back of disorder. Twenty-five females highlighted different areas. It not only gave them a voice, but we were able to give them an update. They had a voice and saw action taken.”

He indicated that areas of concern included a path in the Leighinmohr area, which, he noted, forms part of a regeneration scheme, trees obscuring street lights on various streets, derelict properties, and apparent drug and alcohol use at a railway bridge on Queen Street.

He added that, following the event, police provided an update on work that had been completed in response to the issues raised.

Inspector McToal went on to say he would encourage any community group in Ballymena, Carrickfergus or Larne to contact the PSNI’s community team to arrange a walk and talk in their area.

“It is a good opportunity for us to get to know that community while we are doing that,” he added.

Chief Inspector Watt said: “There is no doubt that when we make these communities safer, we reduce the perception of crime and the potential for crime for everybody. All too often, communities feel they do not have a voice. It is a really easy initiative.”

The chief inspector also outlined other aspects of Project Vigilant, which she described as “a preventative policing initiative targeting predatory behaviour in the night-time economy” through what police describe as “bespoke planned operations”.

“It has been adopted by the PSNI as part of a wider strategy to tackle violence against women and girls, a policing initiative to prevent sexual violence and harassment by disrupting predatory behaviour,” she stated.

The officer went on to say operations can involve plain-clothes and uniformed officers who may liaise with community wardens, for example, to “identify suspicious behaviour”.

“The purpose is to reduce violence against women and girls and create safer spaces,” she added.

“Spiking is one of those offences. Traditionally, it is quite hard to gather evidence. Project Vigilant will allow us to be in that space where we can gather evidence or prevent it, either by disrupting or apprehending offenders.”

Chief Inspector Watt also urged more businesses to participate in the Ask for Angela initiative, which is supported by the PSNI and Hospitality Ulster.

More than 300 hospitality venues have signed up to the scheme, which is aimed at reducing sexual violence and harassment.

It is open to anyone — male or female, gay or straight — who feels unsafe, threatened or vulnerable on a date or with someone they have met, to discreetly seek help by asking staff for “Angela”.

Trained staff can assist by separating the person from their companion, calling a taxi, involving security staff or informing police.