Tag Archives: PSNI

Full Speech on Larne Response Policing

Mr Beggs: I thank the Business Committee for affording me the opportunity to discuss a topical and vital issue that affects the people of the borough of Larne and further afield:  response policing in Larne.  The news that emergency response police officers were to be relocated from Larne to Ballymena emerged during the summer.  I say “emerged” because I first became aware of the information through social media.  Reports subsequently appeared in the local press as further discussion of the rumours occurred. As early as August, I sought out and met the PSNI area commander for Larne and Ballymena, Chief Inspector John Magill.  He confirmed that, under an internal rationalisation programme called Service First, the Larne police response unit would be relocated to Ballymena in the autumn.  It was to happen as fast as that.  I expressed concern at the proposal, as well as the planned time frame, which would … Continue reading

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Plan to Transfer Police Response Officers “An Accountant’s dream but a Police Officer’s Nightmare”: Beggs

Ulster Unionist MLA for East Antrim Roy Beggs Jnr has brought the issue of the Transfer of Police Response Officers out of Larne PSNI station to Ballymena to the floor of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Explaining why he was introducing the debate to Assembly, the East Antrim MLA criticised the non-attendance of the Minister for Justice David Ford.  It is normal for Ministers to be present to respond to issues raised in Assembly debates, but Minister Ford declined to attend citing that the Response officer transfer proposal was an operational matter for the PSNI alone. Mr Beggs told the Assembly: “The mantra of “That would be an operational matter” seems to trump everything.  It is precisely that lack of engagement by and the inflexibility of the hierarchy in the PSNI and Department of Justice that has prompted me to raise this issue in the Assembly to ensure that there is … Continue reading

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Appeal for Public Help in Police Investigation of Gourley Murder

Commenting on the news that police have officially launched a murder enquiry based on new evidence about the disappearance of Carrickfergus man Mark Gourley in March 2009, UUP MLA Roy Beggs has appealed for public co-operation. “First of all for the sake of his family, I would urge anyone who has any information about what happened to Mark Gourley to tell the police immediately” said the East Antrim Assemblyman. “‘The Disappeared’ is a term which has been most associated with the IRA over the years, but it seems that in this case so called loyalist paramilitaries have copied their republican counterparts’ old habits. We must remember that the term ‘disappeared’ is a euphemism for someone who has been kidnapped, murdered and their body disposed of to conceal the vile cause of their death. ” Roy Beggs added: “This horrible situation is a reminder that unfortunately, paramilitary groups have still not … Continue reading

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Larne Town gang attacks Condemned

Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs has condemned those responsible for attacks on property in the Factory district of Larne town. “I am obviously very concerned at reports of masked men armed with hammers attacking houses. This is Wild West stuff, which must be condemned without reservation. Clearly there is a continuing problem with gangs in some parts of the borough. Whether those involved belong to a criminal gang or a paramilitary gang, whether they describe themselves as loyalist or republican is beside the point. Damaging property is a criminal action. If the occupant of the homes had confronted the attackers, the hammers could easily been used in a serious assault or worse. I would appeal to the public to help the police in identifying those behind these incidents before someone is maimed, and for the PSNI to take robust action in identifying the culprits and taking them off our streets. … Continue reading

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Roy Raises Concerns with PSNI about Larne Response Officers Plan

Local Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs Jnr has met with PSNI Area Commander for Larne and Ballymena Chief Inspector John Magill about concerns that the current police response unit based at Larne Police Station could be re-located to Ballymena. Speaking after the meeting Mr Beggs stated: “There are very real concerns in the community about the possible relocation of the Police emergency response unit from Larne Station to Ballymena. Whilst I appreciate that the PSNI response officers would still spend their shift patrolling in the Larne area, I expressed my concern to Inspector Magill that so much of their day would be spent travelling back and forward to base at Ballymena. During this time they would not be available to assist the people of Larne or provide reassurance by their physical presence. It appears that budgetary pressure is a major factor behind the rethinking of current policing provision. It is … Continue reading

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