NIGHTS OUT…Police are getting to grips with crimes during the night time
POLICE in Fermanagh are getting to grips with crime associated with the ‘night time economy’, ie when patrons are socialising in bars and restaurants and/or coming out of them and looking for food carry-outs and/or taxis.
The problem was acute over a year ago, with 370 non-domestic violent crimes involving injury, averaging at about 7 incidents a week.
However, for the year starting April last year and ending March this year, that figure had dropped to 299, a reduction of 71.
The PSNI area commander, Chief Inspector Sue Steen speaking at a meeting of the PCSP explained that, typically, these were crimes associated with the ‘night time economy’, but that this was not always the case.
“And, while we would obviously welcome the reduction, we’re not going to be complacent.”
Some members queried if the policing of Enniskillen at night had been reduced following the introduction of CCTV.
One member suggested that, prior to the cameras going up, the police were about as people went in to the pubs.
“It made people more alert but, since cctv came in, is it not the case that policing is now more reactive?”
Responding, Chief Inspector Steen described the cctv system in Enniskillen town centre as, ‘very useful’.
However, it was only one of a number of policing operations.
“The first operation is a very proactive one: we go into licensed premises and have a chat with whoever is responsible and we check out if there are any parties or anybody they have any concerns with.
“That’s done before things get into full swing. We’re then around at pub closing time when people are coming out and looking for something or getting a taxi. That’s the time that the cctv comes into its own.
“CCTV has an extra pair of eyes and ears which we don’t have as we can’t be everywhere.”
She refuted the suggestion that the police were merely reacting.
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