Call for more police on beat

People in NI want to see more police officers on the streets

People in Northern Ireland want to see more police officers on patrol to deal with burglaries and speeding, according to a new survey.

Senior PSNI commanders have been told they need to get more officers onto the streets in a effort to deal faster with crime and emergencies.

The survey's findings, published on Tuesday, are aimed at shaping future policing policies in Northern Ireland.

In the largest consultation of its kind, one in 10 households in the province was issued with a questionnaire in June 2003.

Nearly 16,800 replied to the survey with almost twice as many Protestant respondents as Catholics.

Of those, an estimated 62% were dissatisfied with the number of police officers on the streets in their area.

About 48% felt that there were not enough vehicle patrols. Just under a quarter of the respondents were either "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with policing overall.

Details of the survey's findings will be issued to the various district policing partnerships which were set up in March 2003 to monitor performances.

Domestic burglary, underage drinking, speeding, young people causing a nuisance, vandalism and attacks on the elderly were among the biggest problems, according to the survey.

Hugh Orde said the response to the survey was very satisfying

It also disclosed that people believed more policing resources should be concentrated on foot patrols, crime investigation and prevention, getting quicker responses to emergencies, enforcing drug laws and having closer involvement with young people.

Even though a majority was aware of district policing partnerships, most people did not know who the members were or how to contact DPPs.

Professor Desmond Rea, chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board said the response to the survey - a total of 16,798 replied - had been impressive.

"These figures have a real purpose and real meaning as they signal the community's genuine concerns about the policing of their neighbourhoods and indicate which policing activities they want to see resources concentrated on," he said.

Chief Constable Hugh Orde said he was encouraged by the high level of response to the survey.

"I am delighted with the level of response to this survey as not only does it signal the high level of interest among the general public but it also helps us put in place policing plans that meet their expressed needs," he said.

"It reinforces the importance of, and our commitment to, district policing partnerships.

"We want to seriously engage the communities we serve in a dialogue about local concerns and about how to find local solutions to local problems."