Justice Minister David Ford has launched a new website to map community safety concerns throughout Newry and Mourne. Developed by Newry and Mourne Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) the Development Management Planning site highlights areas of concern in various awards with the council, PSNI, NI Housing Executive, Southern HSC Trust, NI Ambulance Service and NI Fire and Rescue Service all inputting information. The coloured map is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and enables agencies and communities to work together to addresss collective problems in the area. “I want to commend Newry and Mourne PCSP for developing this website. We are all too aware of the criticism that comes from what appears to be disjointed working: agencies, government departments and communities all doing work in their own right but in isolation. This new website will reveal the real need within the local community by bringing all local knowledge to a single platform. This will undoubtedly enhance the work of the PSCP by enabling everyone to work smarter to address the real areas of concern and assist in the implementation of community planning.” Whilst in Newry the minister also visited Ardmore police station where he was briefed on the POINTER Project where local police are looking to enhance community relations with youth and representatives from across the greater Newry and Banbridge areas. He said: “I know the impact anti-social behavior can have on local communities. This project aims to reduce anti-social behavior by providing a safe environment where youth can interact with each other whilst developing essential life skills in partnership with the Prince’s Trust and Peace III.
Newry Reporter
11th July 2012
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