Mutual Aid ‘a step closer’

The Police Federation for Northern Ireland says two nights of unrest makes it more likely that the call will go out for Mutual Aid officers to be drafted in from Scotland and England to augment and support a stretched and under-strength PSNI.

PFNI Chair Liam Kelly said: “A total of thirty-three officers have been injured in wholly unacceptable violence in Ballymena and other centres. This is deplorable and unsustainable for an already stretched and under resourced police service. 

“The option is there to call on policing colleagues across the United Kingdom to come to our assistance. We’re under intense pressure and operating at a level that is downright dangerous. 

“This violence has to end. Should it continue, I expect we will see more officers injured and they will inevitably have to be taken off the frontline to rest and recover. 

“Officers are doing an outstanding job in trying and challenging circumstances. They are saving lives and doing all they can to protect both people and property.

“That said, Mutual Aid is there as a measure of last resort when it becomes clear that the PSNI, which is currently more than 2,200 officers below what’s required, needs to bolster numbers on the ground. Calling for that assistance has now moved a step closer.

“Officer welfare must be the priority. They cannot continue to be exposed to unnecessary risk or extended frontline duties where they are unable to recover, recharge and get some badly needed rest.

“Again, I would appeal for this sickening, racially motivated lawlessness and mindless violence to end. Targeting innocent people and attacking my colleagues is reprehensible. There should be no place in this society for violent thugs and racists to blatantly disregard the rule of law, intimidate and terrorise people out of their homes and criminally attack both persons and property. I would directly appeal to the right minded public to condemn these actions and provide PSNI with the information that will assist in identifying the perpetrators so they can rightly be put before the Courts.”