NIPB condemns disruption of Policing and Community Safety Partnerships meetings by protestors

In “an appalling act of intimidation”, protestors, some wearing masks, disrupted two meetings in the space of two days.

Following the disruption of a meeting in West Belfast on Monday (February 24), a group of men, some with their faces covered, disrupted a North Belfast partnership meeting on Tuesday afternoon in Girdwood Community Hub.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it has commenced “an immediate investigation” into the incidents.

NIPB vice-chair Brendan Mullan said: “Everyone has the right to protest but they do not have the right to disrupt meetings by ‘shouting others down’ and denying their right to participate in public meetings.

“There are now positive discussions and partnership working between the police and local communities across Northern Ireland. Discussions that people want on issues that matter to them.

“It is deeply regrettable that the disruptive actions of a small number tried to stop many people attending the meetings having their voices heard. We are pleased that those present were undeterred and able to engage with the police on important local issues such as dealing with anti-social behaviour, violence against women and girls, and taking drugs off the streets.”

PSNI Belfast District Commander Chief Superintendent Jeremy Lindsay said: “As well as our everyday work in the community, we work with partner with agencies, such as our District Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (DPCSP) to raise awareness and collaborate on the issues that matter to local people and business owners. This includes important safety issues such as crime rates, internet safety, burglary and offences against vulnerable members of our community.

“In the second of a series of statutory public meetings focusing on creating safer communities across the city this week, North Belfast DPCSP met in Girdwood Community Hub on Tuesday afternoon (February 25).

“During the course of this event, a number of protestors some of whom were masked entered the building and disrupted the public meeting by behaving in a disorderly manner to the extent that it had to be moved to another room within the community hub and concluded the agenda business.

“A similar protest at a DPCSP meeting in St Comgall’s in West Belfast on Monday also resulted in disruption to the public meeting and, again, the partnership activity resumed undeterred.

“Many of those attending both meetings reported feeling threatened and intimidated. Whilst we would always seek to facilitate peaceful protest, disorderly behaviour which prevents a lawful public meeting is not acceptable.

“We have commenced an immediate investigation in respect to these incidents, which includes the reviewing of video evidence which was gathered at both events.”

He is appealing to anyone with any information on those who behaved in a disorderly manner at these events to contact police, adding: “These partnerships carry out crucial work together with our communities to identify issues of concern and prepare plans to deliver practical solutions. We would like to acknowledge the majority support for the DPCSP’s work and always welcome effective, responsible and meaningful channels for accountability and engagement.

“We will be working with Police and Community Safety Partnership chairs to ensure that moving forward these meetings can take place in a safe and orderly fashion free from unlawful harassment and intimidation.”

Justice Minister Naomi Long also condemned the attempts to disrupt public meetings of the DPCSPs.

“Such behaviour needs to be called out and challenged,” she said. “Policing is an inherent part of the transformation of our society and of keeping people safe.

“Policing and Community Safety Partnerships give local people a say on how work is taken forward in their neighbourhoods to improve community safety and tackle anti-social behaviour. They also work to build local confidence in the PSNI.

“They are made up of local councillors, independent members drawn from the area and representatives from the PSNI, Youth Justice Agency, NI Fire and Rescue Service, Housing Executive, Health and Social Care Trusts, the Probation Board for Northern Ireland and Education Authority.

“Alongside local councils, they work to make lives better for the local people they serve. Elected representatives speak for local people and have a mandate to do so. Turning up to shout down speakers at a DPCSP public meeting is an attack on all of the people of West Belfast and of North Belfast.

“I’m pleased that, in spite of the attempts of a small minority to thwart the DPCSP meetings from taking place, the meetings were able to go ahead – giving local people an opportunity to raise any issues and to hear updates on work going on by the DPCSPs in each area.”

DUP Leader Gavin Robinson said: “This appears to be the latest incident in a ramping up of dissident republican agitation against the police. This was both a throwback to the past, and follows the erection of posters aimed at warning people off joining the police. Instead of reheated calls for illegal sectarian quotas, there should have been a strong, clear and united opposition including from within political nationalism.

“Those involved in these scenes stand in stark contrast to police officers who not only serve our entire community but do so against an ongoing threat to their safety.

“People across Northern Ireland, regardless of their background want to feel safe in their homes and on our streets. They want effective policing and to see embarrassing displays like this relegated to history.”

North Belfast MLA Brian Kingston added: “This was an appalling act of intimidation and publicity stunt. One of them made an aggressive statement complaining that members of their group have come under investigation from the PSNI.

“This was a public meeting to discuss community policing with community representatives and residents from both sides of the community along with PSNI officers and other statutory bodies represented.

“It is disgraceful that local residents, including children, in attendance were subjected to this aggressive behaviour which was shocking and traumatic for some.

“Members of this group seem to think they should be above the law. They claimed to speak for certain people, but I am confident the vast majority of the community will reject their bully-boy tactics and attempt to prevent the community from working with the police and holding the PSNI to account.”