BY MICHAEL BRESLIN
Anti-social behaviour continues to plague the public in Fermanagh and, according to Chief Inspector Alwyin Barton, the PSNI Area Commander, it continues to have an impact on public re-assurance and quality of life.
However, incidents are reducing. He told last week's meeting of the Fermanagh District Policing Partnership that Fermanagh had recorded 2,346 incidents of anti-social behaviour in 2007/2008, and 2,585 incidents in 2006/2007, a drop of 9.2%
The DPP meeting was told that anti-social behaviour covered a range of incidents, including issues such as noisy neighbours, youths gathering on the streets, speeding traffic, drug use, vandalism and people being drunk or rowdy in a public place.
"Many of these issues show seasonal trends", he explained, " often with an increase in the summer months when the school holidays occur, around Halloween and again at Christmas. A partnership approach to tackling particular issues, sharing good practice and focused multi-agency action plans offer opportunities to tackle anti-social behaviour more effectively thereby reducing community tensions and public concern".
So how do PSNI officers record incidents as, 'anti-social behaviour'?
The scope is huge, extending from complaints of rowdy behaviour and general nuisance in a public place or in any place, things shouting and swearing and general drunken behaviour, to setting fires, 'roof top chasing', throwing stones (if damage or injury is caused, it is a notifiable crime).
Anti-social behaviour which short of a notifiable crime, includes playing football or other 'games' in inappropriate areas, and urinating in public.
The following statistics show the break-down of reported anti-social behaviour between 1 April 2007 and 31 March this year according to 'beat areas'.
(Sector: North Fermanagh) Ballinamallard 50; Belleek 47; Irvinestown 161; Kesh 90; (Fermanagh South): Lisnaskea 375; Newtownbutler 36; Roslea 14; Tempo 37; (Fermanagh West) Belcoo 12; Derrygonnelly 15; Kinawley 15; (Enniskillen) Enniskillen 1454; Lisbellaw 40; Total: 2,346. This compares to 2,585 incidents in 2006/2007, a reduction of 9.2%.
DPP member, Mandy Egerton asked how the figures for 2007/08 compared with other Areas within the F District
Mr Barton told her they compared favourably on the basis of the number of incidents compared to the population of the other areas and the geographical size of Fermanagh. He asked members to bear in mind that Fermanagh was the only area within 'F' District that encompasses an entire county, it is twice the geographical size and has a population of about 10,000 larger than the next biggest.
And, to set that in context, he contrasted Fermanagh (2,346 incidents, down 9.2% from 2,585) to Omagh – 2194 down 15.6% from 2599, Dungannon & South Tyrone – 2373 down 19.2% from 2937, and Cookstown – 1637 down 4.9% from 1722.
Councillor Stephen Huggett, putting a question on behalf of his colleague, Councillor Domhnall O'Cobhthaigh, noted that the 2007-2010 Annual Policing Plan had set a target for 2007/2008 of reducing anti social behaviour by 5% . Fermanagh had almost doubled that target 9 per cent).
Was the 5% target a NI- wide target, and could the local achievement be lower?
Chief Inspector Barton said, Yes, that the 5% target aimed to achieve a 15% reduction in anti-social behaviour incidents over three years.
"There is a realisation that as Community Beat officers gain more confidence and contacts in their community, that reports of anti-social behaviour may increase.
"It would be nice to reduce by 25% in four years, ie this year's 9 per cent and the 15% in the next 3 years, but we must consider if this is a realistic target."
