ISSUE 14 December 2014

Road Safety Week pg 2

Belfast PCSP Youth Awards pg 3

pg 4 Challenging racism: ending hate pg 7 Keeping safe at Christmas

Find out more about PCSPs:

/pcsps @pcsp_s www.pcsps.org ROAD SAFETY WEEK

Road Safety Week was launched in and Mourne by the Environment Minister Mark H Durkan, Dale Armagh PCSP Officers visited pupils in St Ashford, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Supt David Moore and John McPoland from the NI Ambulance Service Malachy’s Primary School to talk to them about supported by Newry and Mourne PCSP and Dame Mary Peters. PCSPs across the country used the week keeping safe when walking to school and back to bring the road safety message home in each of their areas. Here are a few examples… especially in the darker winter nights.

For more road safety information The two main tips were to wear bright clothing and find a safe place to cross the road and the pupils pasted themselves in high visibility smiley stickers to stand out that bit more. Any other schools in Armagh Newry and Mourne interested in getting a hold of the stickers should contact Patricia Gibson on 02837529646 or email [email protected]. The launch of Road Safety Week in Newry and Mourne emphasised the potential A range of partners went to Southern Regional dangers on our roads and demonstrated College’s Armagh Campus to talk to students about the consequences of road traffic road safety. Constable Stevie Dickson talked through collisions. Students looked on with horror the importance of paying full attention when driving at the mock up of what happens after a and the students heard the personal experiences of collision and heard how the police deal emergency service workers. with people who are, for example, over the alcohol driving limit. Students look with shock at the emergency services demonstration in Newry High School.

Lisburn PCSP worked with emergency services to bring the safety message to students who are just getting on the road themselves. The Fire and Rescue and Ambulance Services gave a stark account of what actually happens at serious and fatal collisions and the work officers have to do.

PCSP Chair, Cllr Brian Bloomfield explained Emergency services in Lisburn demonstrate their that educating and engaging with young job at collisions. people at an early stage of their driving career Pictured at Southern Regional College’s Armagh can reinforce “the cruel reality of road death Campus are: Constable Stevie Dickson and NIFRS and how normal, everyday life can turn to Front cover caption: Watch Commander Joe Connolly pictured with SRC Stephanie Rock from Armagh PCSP with some of the Student Activities Coordinator Catherine Shipman, tragedy in a split second.” He added: “We all pupils from St Malachy’s Primary School in the city have a personal responsibility to ourselves and Senior Youth Worker Michael Hogg, Patricia Gibson who learned about road safety. PCSP Manager and officers from the Armagh other road users regarding how we drive.” Neighbourhood Policing Team.

2 Rewarding young people

The annual PCSP Youth Awards saw a range of young people from the Belfast area commended for their contributions to the community.

To see the categories and winners

A midnight soccer participant takes a shot with beer goggles on during a drug and alcohol awareness programme. Soccer with an extra kick

Limavady PCSP’s Midnight Soccer Scheme had an extra dimension when DIVERT alcohol and drug project staff came along to engage with the young people taking part.

Midnight Soccer is delivered by the Council’s Sports Development team to teenagers from the area on Friday nights and engages up to 100 people each week. DIVERT provides an education programme geared towards young people who may be faced with the choice on One of the night’s winners Paul Russell (3rd right) receiving whether to take alcohol or drugs. his award from the South Belfast DPCSP Cllr Kate Mullan and performers from The Leftbacks. PCSP Cllr Michael Coyle welcomed the partnership explaining that it was a perfect opportunity to engage with young people and get them Front cover caption: to consider the choices and consequences when it comes to alcohol Pictured at the PCSP Youth Awards in Belfast are (l-r): Singer and drugs. Janet Devlin, South Belfast DPCSP Vice Chair Niall Kelly, Lord Mayor Cllr Nichola Mallon, Justice Minister David Ford, compere For more information on DIVERT Judith Hill and Vice Chair of the Policing Board Stuart MacDonnell.

3 Challenging racism: ending hate

Belfast PCSP has supported research which looks at the economic and social contributions that those from other countries and cultures are making to our society.

The report commissioned by the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building challenges looks at a range of areas such as tax and healthcare and challenges many misconceptions about the migrant population.

PCSP Chair Colin Keenan explained that the PCSP’s community engagement has shown that myths have led to negative stereotyping of the migrant population in Belfast. He said: “In extreme circumstances, these myths have been used as Pictured at the launch of the Challenging racism: ending hate research are an excuse for racist hate crime which cannot be allowed to continue and Belfast (l-r) Cllr Mervyn Jones, Chair East Belfast DPCSP, Cllr David Armitage, Cllr Paula Bradshaw, South Belfast DPCSP, Cllr Michael Long, Eva Grosman, PCSP will continue to play a full role in challenging such myths.” Prof Peter Shirlow QUB (Co-Author), Cllr Nuala McAllister and Cllr Emmet McDonough-Brown. To see the full report

Board reviews race hate crime To see the terms of Front cover caption: reference and how to Prof Peter Shirlow QUB (Co-Author), The Policing Board has started to gather views from individuals and organisations contribute Cllr Colin Keenan Chair Belfast PCSP, on how police deal with race hate crime. The consultation will support a Lord Mayor Cllr Nichola Mallon, Human Rights Thematic Review which will examine how the police meet their Eva Grosman, Pete Snodden Cool FM (MC) responsibilities in dealing with this crime. and Jim Fitzpatrick.

Creating Safe Places

Down PCSP has given its support to the Safe Place Initiative which aims to signpost services and agencies to those who may be victims of domestic abuse. By signing up the initiative, the PCSP has given its commitment to challenge domestic abuse and acknowledges that it has an impact on wider society.

Council Chair Cllr William Walker said he was distressed to learn that an estimated 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will experience abuse at some stage during their lifetime and encouraged more organisations to sign up to the scheme. Pictured with Down Council Chairman Cllr William Walker are representatives from various statutory and voluntary agencies including Onus and Down PCSP To find out more about the Safe Place Initiative members at the launch of Down District Council’s Safe Place initiative.

4 Tackling Rural Crime Spotting the signs of child sexual exploitation Rural crime continues to be a concern in the Fermanagh area and the PCSP is working with its partners to get advice out to people about how to keep themselves and their machinery Craigavon PCSP has been running a series of workshops to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation. The workshops are safe. Crime prevention and road safety advice and the geared towards people who work with or come into contact with very practical help of trailer marking has been on offer at children such as youth and community workers and volunteers, Irvinestown, and Belcoo throughout November. transport staff and hospitality and leisure staff. The workshops, run in partnership with the Freedom Acts and the Safeguarding The PCSP arranged for Tracker Network UK Ltd to give their Board for Northern , are designed to help those working advice on security devices for farm machinery as well as grants and with young people to know what to look for so they can protect subsidies available. Free cable locks were distributed by the PCSP. young people and be in a position to prevent exploitation.

For more information see the PCSP Facebook page

To learn more about safeguarding

Learning more about preventing rural crime in Irvinestown.

For more information on PSNI Farm Watch Scheme CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION THE MORE YOU SEE THE MORE YOU KNOW

5 THE DANGERS OF DRUGS Craigavon

Over 1000 post primary school pupils took part in a Drugs Awareness Campaign organised by Craigavon PCSP, with another 1000 young people due to take part in a second event in December.

The PCSP aims to educate young people on the dangers, effects and consequences of drugs. The campaign includes a presentation by Theresa Burke whose 22 year old son Kealan tragically died as a result of taking drugs and the PSNI who emphasise the dangers and consequences of drugs.

CHILL (Counselling Help and Information for Lifestyle and Living) provided counselling and mentoring information on drugs and alcohol. They also focus on young people who may live with the fallout from substance misusing parents or carers and can be at an increased risk of misusing PCSP Vice Chair Sam McGregor is pictured with staff at alcohol and illegal drugs themselves. Gibson’s pharmacy in Limavady (l-r) Elaine Dobbin, Belle Craig and Briege Carton at the launch of a new prescription drug awareness campaign. http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/drugs For more advice on drug use

For more information on CHILL Limavady

It’s not all about illegal drugs. Concerns in Limavady about the misuse and overuse of prescription drugs has prompted the PCSP to run a campaign with local pharmacies and health centres to highlight the issue.

The “Pill, Pill, Pill…. Are you addicted?” campaign aims to reduce the amount of prescription drug misuse particularly among the elderly and vulnerable and offers signposting to those affected.

Information leaflets were given out with each prescription slip for a two week period, banners continue to be displayed in GP surgeries and a number of public workshops highlighting the issue will take place during December.

Limavady PCSP Chair Cllr Michael Coyle said working with the pharmacies and raising awareness in the GP waiting areas resulted in an effective visual campaign. He said: “The project aims to raise awareness of the dangers associated with the abuse of prescription medication and offer signposting, Pictured at College for the PCSP Drugs Awareness Campaign are: advice and support locally.” Constable Helen McKenna, Theresa Burke, Mr Bell Lurgan College Vice Principal, Craigavon PCSP Chair Cllr Kenneth Twyble, PCSP Co-ordinator Aisling Gillespie and PCSP Manager Alison Clenaghan with pupils from Lurgan College. For more advice on using prescription drugs

6 KEEPING SAFE AT CHRISTMAS With Christmas just round the corner, the PSNI and PCSPs have been pointing out some very simple steps we all can take to keep ourselves and our possessions safe.

Keeping possessions safe Getting the Drink aware low down on Lisburn PCSP have been campaign cybercrime promoting the ‘Stay Safe Stay Secure’ message The key message from in the city with crime The PSNI opened up a two day pop the PSNI is “Just one prevention displays at a up shop in Belfast to give people drink can kill, so never, number of venues giving some practical tips on how to stay ever drink and drive”. As safe online particularly as many out practical advice. With a part of their road safety of us do our Christmas shopping 15% increase in burglary in campaign in the run up online. Lisburn since the same time to Christmas, PSNI will last year, PCSP Chair Cllr breathalyse all drivers For more information Brian Bloomfield stressed they stop for any driving the importance of keeping offences. possessions safe. ACC Alan Todd said: “If you find yourself asking the He said: “We cannot remind question ‘I wonder if I’m people enough of the ok to drive?’ or if you find importance of looking after yourself trying to calculate themselves and their belongings, if you are under the drink particularly at Christmas when drive limit, whether that’s The PSNI Crime Prevention tips. there are gifts bought to give after one drink or the to friends and family. Please your home. My message to you is morning after a night out, ensure that they are out of sight clear; make sure you do not invite just don’t take the risk. and not placed below Christmas burglars in by not securing your home The consequences could trees, visible from outside properly.” be catastrophic.”

For more information Front cover caption: ‘Willie Nickit’ kicks off Lisburn PCSP’s Stay Safe Stay Secure message on the campaign with (l-r): C/Insp John Wilson Area Commander for Lisburn, Cllr Brian Bloomfield Chair of Lisburn PCSP and PSNI Crime Prevention Officer Michael Green.

7 Public Protection agencies What’s happening in your PCSP? focus on Domestic Violence

The agencies involved in public protection in discussed PCSPs hold a variety of meetings and events each month. the impact of domestic abuse on families and the work being done by For details on what is coming up in your local PCSP. the agencies involved at a recent seminar.

Contributors examined developments in public protection such as a new programme between the five health trusts and probation which will work with alleged perpetrators of domestic abuse – those who have not come before the courts.

Hugh Hamill, Chair of the PPANI Strategic Management Board and PBNI (Acting) PCSPs are funded and supported by the Policing Board and Department of Justice. Deputy Director stressed the importance of this development in preventing abuse as victims often do not report the crime until after at least 30 incidents of abuse.

Speaking at the event, Justice Minister David Ford, said: “Our ultimate aspiration is to stop domestic and sexual violence and abuse. This will require strong leadership from Government; partnership working at the strategic and operational level; and thoughtful engagement with practitioners and victims and survivors.”

To learn more PCSPs work with a number of designated partners.

EDUCATION & LIBRARY BOARDS

Pictured at domestic abuse seminar are (l-r): Chair of PPANI Strategic Find out more about PCSPs: Management Board and PBNI (Acting) Deputy Director Hugh Hamill, Director of Women’s Aid Federation NI Annie Campbell, Senior Lecturer at QUB School of /pcsps @pcsp_s www.pcsps.org Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work Dr John Devaney, PPANI Co-ordinator Julie Smyth, PBNI Head of Programmes and Interventions Geraldine O’Hare and Minister of Justice David Ford MLA.

8