Written question asked by Iris Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 19 July 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 July 2006. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 September 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Donaghadee and Comber Police Rapid Response Unit

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the likely impact on (a) the police and (b) the public of the recent decision by the District Policing Partnership to remove from Donaghadee and Comber the police rapid response unit.

Answer: The DPP has no statutory authority to make decisions in relation to operational matters. Any decision to remove the police rapid response unit from Donaghadee and Comber is a matter for the Chief Constable.The PSNI has advised that a restructuring of policing services has been commenced within Ards District Command Unit. This entails the centralising of response crews in Newtownards town and Portaferry. In addition, there will be an increase in the number of Community Policing Teams in Comber and Donaghadee.These changes have been introduced following examination of the nature and frequency of calls for assistance received from the public.It is the opinion of the DCU Commander that these changes will more closely focus police resources on the areas of concern raised by the various communities in the Ards DCU area.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 449 c2397-8W; 87984
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Emergency calls Police Service of Northern Ireland Donaghadee Comber
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk