Spratt welcomes new measures to tackle low level crime

 

Policing Board Member Jimmy Spratt MLA has welcomed the introduction of new measures to tackle low level crime, in an attempt to free up more officers and ensure that the PSNI become more effective and efficient.  Speaking today Mr. Spratt said, 

“As a Party we have long been lobbying for these powers to be extended to Northern Ireland, thereby bringing PSNI officers into line with their counterparts in the UK.  This decision will go some way to ensure that the administrative burden which has been placed upon officers is reduced, and that these officers will be redeployed into communities thereby strengthening confidence in front line policing. 

Penalty Notices have proved to be a very successful tool and a more effective way of dealing with appropriate cases.  These measures should also improve the PSNI’s clearance rates for dealing with offences, and ensure that punishment is swift with a real sharp deterrent.   We should also see phenomenal savings which would provide the PSNI with an opportunity to strategically redirect any such savings to tackle more serious violent crime.   

However, there is no doubt that the PSNI, like other police services will need to issue strong guidelines to ensure that these powers are not abused."