Seasons Greetings
and a very Merry Christmas.
I would like to say "thank-you" to all those who have
supported Lisburn Community Safety Network through another year.
I trust that you
continue to find the Network helpful in keeping you aware of what is going on in
the Lisburn area and as an aid to preventing crime and especially helping
prevent it happening to you.
Requests to
participate in the network have yet gain increased and this is a great
encouragement particularly as CSN is a voluntary extra and your support is the
main factor in keeping it going. However given CSN is a voluntary initiative
this has meant other commitments especially in recent weeks having to take
priority and thus impacting on the even the small time required to keep you
informed and issue appeals.
My thanks to the
Lisburn, Moira, Hillsborough and Dunmurry Neighbourhood Police Teams who promote
CSN on my behalf during their dealings with the
community.
Once again the
increase in members of the public contacting police in regards to suspicious
vehicles, persons or activity has indicated the appeals and awareness are having
a positive impact. Again notably the messages in relation to rogue traders and
bogus callers have been taken on board and that has helped curtail the
activities of those that would seek to take advantage of the elderly and
vulnerable and the trauma that such victimisation leaves in its
wake.
Please continue to
be vigilant in activity in your area, securing properties and vehicles even over
the remaining festive period. Humorous as our Willie Nickit crime prevention
promotions are the message is all too real as are the criminals who spare no
thought for their victims especially at Christmas.
We have had very
good successes in the Lisburn area over the last year and many criminals are now
paying the appropriate price for their activities and many others have had their
criminality disrupted. It is our aim to build further on these successes in 2013
with disruption and prosecution of those lacking morality and
whose aim is to prey upon the vulnerable and exploit the elderly and those that
spread fear and discord in our community through their criminal
activity.
Once again please spare a
thought for those of my colleagues who will be on duty and away from families
over the next few days and nights. The ongoing flag protests have greatly
impacted on policing demands in recent days. The ongoing public order
issues now require our services on top of an already
demanding policing schedule, with increased shifts, officers
retained on duty after normal hours and for most the cancellation of Christmas
and Boxing day with our families to facilitate others with their right to
protest…peacefully… and no doubt.. after.. they enjoy their right to a family Christmas together.
A special thanks must also go to our
own families, partners and children who regularly and at short notice forgo their family rights and privileges
without complaint to enable us to do
our job.
Such activity pales
with recent events sadly showing that there are still those who seek to prevent
us and our colleagues in other services doing our job to protect you, the
community, and as with any other days of the year we are with necessity required
to remain careful and vigilant whilst performing our daily tasks both professionally and in private.
Please be patient and understanding.
Our desire is to
finish a successful day’s work and go home safely to our own families and yet
vigilance is required there also. This has been all too readily
brought home with the loss of our Prison Service colleague, David Black only a
few weeks ago and close calls for officers in incidents in Dunmurry in recent
months. There is no switching off for us even at Christmas. It is a happy
time for most but a poignant reminder to others that the cost in serving the
community in which we live and work can be payment of the ultimate price
and our thoughts are with the Black family at this
time.
As on previous occasions I
would appeal to you to enjoy your festive spirit but temper it with common sense
and do not spoil your Christmas with the requirement of a police presence at
your family function. Peace and goodwill are sadly very quickly dispensed with
alcohol fuelled domestic violence which continues to be a bane of our society
and coupled with alcohol fuelled assaults that do make the Christmas and New
Year celebrations a busy time for police and so unnecessary if only these events were enjoyed responsibly.
Despite the current
refurbishment programme I can assure you that Lisburn custody suite still
falls somewhat short of the Hilton experience and to be frank the free
breakfast, hangover permitting, and the subsequent criminal record simply isn’t
worth it. Be responsible and whatever else if drinking at all please
please leave those car
keys at home and book a taxi!
Finally remember it
is called Christmas for a reason, please remember and enjoy its true meaning.
It’s also a time for family
celebration and preparation. Have a very happy Christmas and I trust a peaceful
and rewarding new year for all.
P.S.
Bogus caller alert if you meet a person in your property matching the
description of short, rotund, grey /
white beard, big nose, red suit and cap over the evening 24th
25th December 2012 driving a rusty white Ford Transit van
telling you he was just looking for scrap metal or offering to power wash the
inside of your chimney for £300+ and a free ATM collection service please
be assured he is NOT
the "real thing" and police should be notified
immediately!!
Alternately if year on year your
property has been entered without authorisation over the festive season, your
mince pies have been hoofed, your brandy bottle broken open, coal
left in your stocking, a load of tat under the Christmas tree and reindeer poo
trodden into the carpet then I would suggest you have been particularly naughty
and strongly lacking in belief!
Have a very Happy
Christmas and make it special!!
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