New policing strategy unveiled

The focus is on community policing

Major changes in the way policing services are delivered to the people of Northern Ireland have been unveiled.

From 1 April, the focus will be on neighbourhood policing and decision-making at a local level.

Royal Ulster Constabulary chief constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, revealed the new arrangements on Tuesday.

Sir Ronnie Flanagan announces changes

They will see divisions and sub-divisions being replaced by district command units (DCUs) covering every local council area.

Commanders for these 29 areas have been chosen as part of moves to create a service more in touch with the local community.

The RUC website states: "The development of DCUs is in line with the RUC's own Fundamental Review of Policing published in 1996 and with one of the central recommendations in the Patten Report that policing should be delivered with and for the community.

"DCUs reflect the commitment of the police service to accountable, local policing in partnership with local communities."

Police resources, personnel and budgets will also be organised according to the specific, individual needs of an area.

First recruits

District partnership boards for all 29 areas are also to be established and they will have regular contact with the district commanders.

The transition to the new structures is expected to take up to three years.

The RUC website adds: "Police will now be better placed than ever to respond to areas of greatest need as expressed by communities."

The first recruits to the new Police Service of Northern Ireland are due to begin training in September, before starting duty on the streets next spring.

But both Sinn Fein and the SDLP have said they are not yet prepared to accept or reject invitations to the policing board, which will oversee the service.

Sinn Fein and the SDLP have argued that the Police (NI) Act does not implement in full the recommendations of the Independent Commission on Policing headed by EU commissioner Chris Patten.

But Sir Ronnie decided to press ahead with the new arrangements and the restructuring of the districts is a key part of the plans for the future.