Policing & Community Safety Partnership

PRESS RELEASE

Apply now for Causeway Coast and Glens PCSP rural crime prevention scheme

The rural community across Causeway Coast and Glens is being urged to sign up for an innovative crime prevention scheme before the final deadline later this month.

The successful pilot project, initiated by Causeway Coast and Glens Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) and the PSNI, aims to tackle the blight of rural crime.

Applications made up until today (Friday 5th March) will be assessed for eligibility next week.

If you can’t meet this deadline, there’s another opportunity to apply by Friday 29th March.

The scheme, in partnership with Cantrack Global Ltd, supports farmers and rural dwellers to install tracking devices which act as a theft deterrent, helping to protect and track valuable agricultural equipment.

Successful selected applicants will benefit from a subsidised PROTECT tracking unit alongside a reduction in the cost of an annual subscription for the first year. This allows monitoring and tracking to assist in the recovery of stolen vehicles and equipment

PCSP Chairperson, Councillor Oliver McMullan, is calling on the community to make full use of the scheme said: “This scheme has already proven successful since it was first introduced, and following an initial focus on quad bikes we’ve seen a welcome reduction in this type of theft which can have a devastating impact on our farmers.

“The scheme has now been extended to include other rural vehicles and machinery so please come forward, make your application, and let’s work together to reduce rural crime across the area.

“The PCSP is committed to providing valuable, practical crime prevention help and we’re thankful to all our partners who have played a part in this so far. While we have made good progress, there’s still more to do and it’s important we don’t get complacent in our efforts.”

Causeway Coast and Glens Community Planning Sergeant, Darrel McIvor, said: “I would encourage owners of agricultural machinery to strongly consider making use of tracker technology. In the event you are the victim of theft, this can greatly increase the chances of recovering stolen machinery and equipment.

“We would also recommend that you review all aspects of farm security from lighting to access to your yard and outbuildings.”

To be considered for the pilot scheme please request an expression of interest form by emailing pcsp@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk or by calling 028 207 62225.

The availability of tracker devices is limited and applications will be marked against a set criteria including crime pattern analysis via the PSNI.

Working Groups Established:

To ensure that each member of the PCSP has an opportunity to actively contribute to the direction of the partnership, four strategic themed working groups were established on 3rd September 2020:

ASB & Drug and alcohol related crime
Early intervention
Societal Abuse
Fear of crime and Crime prevention

These working groups allow for in-depth discussions of the issues under each theme. Recommendations made are taken to the PCSP board for approval.

Please note below the dates of the PCSP Meetings. If you have any Community Safety or Policing issues please email them to PCSP@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk in advance.

Cllr Oliver McMullan

Thursday 15th April 2pm

Thursday 6th May 2pm 

Thursday 3rd June 2pm

Thursday 2nd September 2pm

Thursday 7th October 2pm

Thursday 4th November 2pm

Thursday 2nd December 2pm

Causeway Policing and Community Safety Partnership signals support for autism awareness

Causeway Coast and Glens Policing and Community Partnership (PCSP) welcomed representatives from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Autism services to its latest virtual meeting as it aims to reach out to people living with disabilities.

Members heard an engaging presentation from Jayne Colville, who provided an overview of the role and priorities of the service and the work of the Northern Area Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Forum.

Latest figures from the Department for Health show that 4.2% of school aged children were recorded with an autism diagnosis in 2019/20.

Speaking after the meeting, PCSP Chairperson Oliver McMullan said: “As a lifelong disability champion I’m committed to seeing our Partnership expand its support for the most vulnerable within our society to ensure they feel safe and valued.

“This was a very worthwhile opportunity for members to learn more about ASD services which are active in our area, along with the opportunities which exist for proactive collaboration to increase awareness, understanding and accessibility for those living with autism.

“During the meeting the PSNI signalled its commitment to autism-awareness and last year there was tremendous uptake from the business community for JAM Card* training offered by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. Looking ahead, we should strive to become an autism-friendly Borough as part of a commitment to deliver for all people within our communities.”

Causeway Coast and Glens PCSP now wants to develop a specific scheme to help those living with disabilities stay safe and feel secure. It’s calling on individuals with special needs or disabilities, along with those who support them, to get involved in shaping a new community safety focused initiative. To take part in the consultation process please contact the PCSP by emailing pcsp@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk or ring 028 7034 7034.

New campaign from Causeway Coast and Glens Policing and Community Safety Partnership aims to keep young people safe online

Causeway Coast and Glens Policing and Community Safety Partnership has collaborated with the NSPCC, Education Authority, and the Northern and Western Health Trusts on a new digital internet safety campaign aimed at young people.
It will focus on a series of different themes and use animation to provide advice in an engaging way.

The first message around 'Suicide, Mental Health and Self-Esteem' will be released on February 9th via Causeway Coast and Glens PCSP Facebook page as well as each of our partners social media channels to coincide with Internet Safety Day. This will be followed by weekly releases on a range of topics including gaming, cyber bullying and gambling.  www.facebook.com/causewaycoastglenspcsp

Campaign animations will be rolled out as follows:
Tuesday 9th February 2021 - Suicide, Mental Health, and Self-Esteem
Monday 15th February 2021- Cyber Bullying
Monday 22nd February 2021 -Gaming and gambling
Monday 1st March 2021 - Sharing and receiving inappropriate images
Monday 5th March 2021 - Where to go to for support

If you require any further information please contact the PCSP on pcsp@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk or call 028 7034 7034​.

PCSP Chair Urges public to help reduce crime

The Chair of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough PCSP has called for the public’s assistance in reporting crime to the PSNI.
Councillor Oliver McMullan said, “The PSNI need the public’s help if we want to reduce crime in our local area. Our communities will be safer if we all play our part and if the public suspect any criminal activity I urge them to contact the PSNI.”
Councillor McMullan’s comments come after the recent PCSP meeting on 14th January received a report from District Commander, Ian Magee. The Commander and Chief Inspector Ian Harrison advised members of the PCSP of increase in anti-social behaviour related incidents throughout the Borough as well as an increase in domestic abuse incidents during lockdown and 33 recent drug detections. The Chair listed a raft of actions that the Partnership have agreed to take forward next year. These include youth initiatives to help make young people safer on the Roads and online, working with Women’s Aid and Criminal Justice staff to help address Societal Abuse and also help support vulnerable people through the use of a multiagency Support Hub. In 2021 the Partnership will also be working with disability groups to address their needs with regards to the work of the Partnership and in relation to Fear of Crime. Just some of the ways that the Partnership are working to make Causeway Coast and Glens Borough safer.
Councillor McMullan also commented on an increase in anti-social driving incidents throughout the Borough and said, “The message during the present COVID19 restrictions is Stay at Home and only to travel for essential purposes. Our hospitals are under huge pressure and we all need to play our part to reduce the demand. I would ask the public not to take unnecessary risks on our roads by driving dangerously which could result in a serious accident.”

Cllr Oliver McMullan
PCSP Chairperson

PCSP - Crime Prevention Videos

Causeway Coast and Glens Policing and Community Safety Partnership have developed a series of short crime prevention videos which will be shared weekly throughout November. Video topics include: Domestic Abuse, How to protect your property, Cold Callers and Scams.

Please take a few minutes of your time to watch and share the first video on Domestic Abuse. Do you know the signs? and support available?
The information may not be relevant to you but by sharing this video you may be helping those who are suffering to access support and help.
Causeway Coast and Glens PCSP would like to thank all the contributors who have made these videos possible.​

Head to our Facebook page to watch and share the videos.  www.facebook.com/causewaycoastglenspcsp

Causeway Coast and Glens PCSP vows to build on drug awareness campaign

Causeway Coast and Glens Policing and Community Safety Partnership has vowed to continue to highlight the dangers of drugs through its work with young people, schools and communities.

The issue was one of the main talking points at a recent PCSP meeting, which was held remotely due to the ongoing pandemic. Working with the PSNI, the PCSP facilitated five public drug awareness events across the Borough last year, featuring representation from local officers, education from Start 360 and testimony from local community members. The main aim was to highlight the damage that drugs can cause to our families and the wider community.

The Partnership also ran local awareness raising campaigns, facilitated school events and installed RAPID (Remove
All Prescription and Illegal Drugs) bins in Coleraine and Limavady to remove prescription and illegal drugs from our streets and ultimately make the borough a safer place.

At the PCSP meeting held on Monday 29th June, Councillor Brenda Chivers asked for more to be done to combat drug dealers. Her motion was seconded by Councillor Peacock and accepted by the PCSP board for action. The motion was as follows;

"To establish a project that will raise awareness of those involved in drug dealing, in order to give the public the confidence to report any drug dealing in their areas".

PCSP Chair Councillor Oliver McMullan said: “Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the PCSP has been unable to hold a typical Partnership meeting but modern technology allowed us to meet via online platforms where the issue of drug dealing was discussed at great length. Building on our recent anti-drug initiatives, and in line with ongoing coronavirus restrictions, we intend to develop our work with the RAPID Bins initiative and to continue our localised campaigns where information and advice will be provided on billboards, phone boxes and buses across the area. Further educational programmes are also on the agenda, focusing on schools and the wider public, in line with our Action Plan.

“Make no mistake, drug dealing is happening in our communities and whilst we have been assured by the PSNI that additional resources are being deployed, the problem requires a collective response from not just police, but other agencies and the wider community. Disrupting the sale and supply of illegal and dangerous drugs continues to be a priority and whilst the PSNI is committed to tackling the issue, they need co-operation.

“We would continue to encourage everyone to report any information about drug dealing to the PSNI (101) or you can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800555111.
Your information may be the final piece of intelligence needed to search a suspected dealer’s home or it could help identify a new dealer in your area.

“Don’t let drug dealers destroy lives in our communities - call now and help us stop them.”
 

Policing and Community Safety Partnerships

PCSPs (Policing and Community Safety Partnerships) aim to make our community safer.

They are statutory bodies established under the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and they are funded jointly by the Department of Justice and the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

There are 11 partnerships, one for each council area.

Each PCSP has a Policing Committee, to take forward specific police monitoring and engagement functions, with the wider PCSP taking forward community safety related functions.

Causeway Coast and Glens PCSP

Causeway Coast and Glens PCSP has 10 political members and 9 independent members.

Political Members:

The current Chair is Councillor Oliver McMullan

Cllr Philip Anderson

Cllr Brenda Chivers

Ald George Duddy

Cllr Sandra Hunter

Cllr Adrian McQuillen

Cllr Leanne Peacock

Cllr Ashleen Schenning

Cllr Ivor Wallace

Cllr Darryl Wilson

Independent Members: 

Miss Leanne Abernethy

Mr Steven Chambers

Mr Lee Kane

Mr Derek McDonald

Mr Sam McGregor

Mrs Anne McNickle

Mrs Patricia McQuillen

Mrs DehraJane Adele Tomb

Mrs Caroline White

What we do?

Causeway Coast and Glens PCSP aims to make our community safer. We do this by focusing on the policing and community safety issues that matter most across the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area.

We:

• consult and engage with the local community on the issues of concern in relation to policing and community safety. The Policing Committee has a distinct responsibility to provide views to the relevant district commander and the Policing Board on policing matters;
• identify and prioritise the particular issues of concern and prepare plans for how these can be tackled;
• monitor - a Policing Committee comprising the political and independent members will monitor the performance of the police and work to gain the co-operation of the public with the police in preventing crime; and
• deliver a reduction in crime and enhance community safety in our area, directly through our own interventions, through the work of our delivery groups or through support for the work of others.

Getting involved

Community involvement is vitally important if we are to really deliver a safer society for all. Causeway Coast and Glens PCSP is keen to hear your views.

We will consult with those living and working in the borough, to find out your views on crime, fear of crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as local policing.