Concern that burglary battle 'is not being won'
ELDERLY crime victims are worried the battle against burglary "is not being won", it has been claimed.
A DUP delegation including councillors and Upper Bann MP David Simpson met with PSNI Portadown District Commander, Inspector Phil Shepherd, yesterday to discuss the recent spate of burglaries targeting our pensioners.
The News Letter has highlighted the plight of the Province's elderly this week, 19 of whom have been heartlessly burgled in the past week. Six of the thefts were in the Killicomaine area of Portadown alone.
Following the burglaries, one Portadown victim suffered a heart attack after finding her home ransacked and valuables stolen.
Another told the News Letter she was frightened to return home after cash and jewellery were stolen while she visited family in England.
Speaking after his meeting with police, Mr Simpson told the News Letter: "The people who I represent are deeply anxious that the battle against the criminals responsible for this mini crime wave in the area is not being won."
He said residents wanted to see a highly visible policing presence on the ground to "deter these criminals from their evil activity".
The MP added: "People need to feel safe and need to be protected. There needs to be public confidence in the police service and its ability to protect the law abiding public from criminals and thugs."
After speaking with some of the elderly burglary victims, Mr Simpson said: "These attacks cause great stress to those who fall victim to them, and also strike fear into elderly people who live nearby who are left wondering if they will be the next victim of these criminal thugs."
Mr Simpson said the DUP used the meeting with PSNI officers to make clear their view that policing resources "must be directed in the most effective and appropriate manner".
A police spokeswoman told the News Letter: "Police and Crime Prevention Officers are working closely with the victims, offering them reassurance, support and crime prevention advice.
"Police take the matter very seriously and are doing all we can in terms of catching those responsible."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Belfast
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South
