Robin Newton MBE MLA

ROBIN Newton East Belfast Councillor and DUP MLA has extended a welcome to the new PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott and said, his emphasis on community policing is one that I can agree with and as a result I expect to see more police on the beat throughout East Belfast.

Robin Newton said,

“The fear of crime is prominent and no matter what the police statistics say there are many older people who live in fear of being a victim of crime. They need support from the police and the closure of police stations and reduction in police manpower do not give them the assurances to feel safe and sound in their homes.

Mr Baggott comes with a remarkable record of policing success but also arrives at a time when financial pressures are resulting in cuts to the PSNI service. He will need to increase the confidence of his own men and women in these times of financial constraint.

The East Belfast people will judge him by his results within the PSNI rather than his record as Chief Constable of the Leicestershire Constabulary.”