text: Policing Plan launched - Newtownabbey Times
  Councillor Jim Bingham, member of the Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP), Chief Inspector Stephen Reid and Councillor Robert Hill, Chair Elect of the PCSP launch the new Policing Plan for Newtownabbey. INNT 16-201-CON
  THE Chair Elect of the borough's Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) is hoping that the new body will be up and running within the next couple of months.
  The dual role Partnership, which replaces the separate Policing and Community Safety Partnerships which came into existence in 2003, will be made up of 10 elected members and nine independents.
  While the elected positions have already been filled by five DUP, two UUP, two Alliance and one Sinn Fein councillors, the independent posts have yet to be finalised.
  Speaking to the Times this week, PCSP Chair Elect, councillor Robert Hill said: "The interviews for the independent members have all been done and we're now waiting for the Policing Board to make the final selections. That's the hold-up at the minute, but hopefully as soon as we hear back from the Policing Board we'll be up and running as soon as possible, hopefully by June."
  Despite the PCSP not yet being fully operational, Newtownabbey Police have launched the 2012-2013 Policing Plan setting out the policing priorities and ambitions for the next 12 months.
  PSNI Area Commander, Chief Inspector Stephen Reid stated: "This year sees a marked change to the way objectives are set and how our performance will be measured and monitored. The new Plan commits local police to delivering against the three core principles of Personal, Professional and Protective policing, moving away from numerical targets. Our focus will now be on reducing crime and improving detection rates and ensuring the quality of the service we provide to the public is second to none."
  The new Plan also puts particular focus on protecting vulnerable people in the local community, and will aim to ensure that police are doing everything they can to make them feel safe.
  Councillor Hill commented: "This plan continues to focus on the issues that impact on the quality of life of many of the borough's residents such as burglary and anti-social behaviour. I will work with my colleagues on the Policing and Community Safety Partnership to support the Area Commander in the implementation of this Plan and monitor the performance of local police in meeting the targets set out in the Plan."
  Chief Inspector Reid added: "Across Northern Ireland overall crime is at a 12 year low and confidence in policing is steadily increasing. This has been achieved by officers working in committed partnership with the communities they serve. This new Plan sets out our challenges in continuing this trend locally and underpins our belief that policing is not just about law enforcement, it is about creating an environment in which all communities can grow and develop in confidence, securing a brighter and safer future for all."