Request for mutual aid shows how cuts have eroded PSNI, says Federation

Liam Kelly said: “We have seen nights of violence with officers working long hours – being necessitated to give up rest days and annual leave to be on duty to maintain order. The same cadre of officers cannot be expected to continue to do this for any protracted period, so I welcome the PSNI request for Mutual Aid to be deployed to support them.

“Due to successive deficit budgets, we are already without ten Level One Public Order crews – two units of 50 highly trained officers – which adds enormous pressure onto the remaining specialist units.

“This situation cannot continue indefinitely and ultimately is unsustainable. The PSNI needs significant investment so we can start to grow our policing service to the levels that are needed.”

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said mutual aid officers will “provide vital resilience and support”.

She said: “As a result of the ongoing street violence and disorder we have seen across Belfast since the weekend the PSNI has taken a decision to significantly mobilise the service.  Unfortunately this will mean officers and staff working longer shifts and rest days.

“Increasing our resources and footprint across Northern Ireland in the coming days will enable us to manage planned events and deal with any sporadic incidents, including disorder.

“We have also submitted a request to National Police Co-ordination Centre for additional officers from across the UK to support the policing operation.

“The mutual aid officers will provide vital resilience and support and will be given all of the necessary equipment and familiarisation training.

“Any officers who may come to Northern Ireland would specifically assist with the ongoing public disorder and protests and not every day policing.

“We will continue to keep this under review.”

However, Mr Kelly said mutual aid was “a last resort”.

“After another night of trouble, this time in east Belfast, for resilience, officer welfare and public confidence the chief constable had no choice but to ask for outside help,” he said.

“We know our sister forces themselves are under considerable pressure because of protests and counterdemonstrations and it is unclear at this stage just how much assistance they can provide and for how long.”

Mr Kelly added: “There’s a Government commitment in England and Wales for 13,000 additional officers, but in Northern Ireland policing is in reverse. Officer numbers currently sit at 6,430 on paper and that is over 1,000 fewer than the Patten envisaged peacetime minimum and up to 2,000 less on what is actually required.

“This is a glaring example of the consequences of ten years of cuts on policing and the failure of Stormont to award an appropriate budget. It cannot go on. We’re at breaking point and must have direct action by both our own and the UK Government.

“My appeal is to positively intervene with a realistic budget so we can avert a full-blown crisis.”