NICVA condemns DPP threats

news release

19 September 2003 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NICVA (the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action) has condemned threats to Policing Board and District Policing Partnership members. NICVA Chief Executive, Seamus McAleavey, said: “There is no place in our society for the threats, violence and intimidation which are being directed at members of the Policing Board and District Policing Partnerships in Northern Ireland. It is particularly invidious that independent members, many of whom are associated with voluntary and community groups, and our sector, are being targeted because they want to make a positive contribution to our society. NICVA and many voluntary and community organisations take a community development approach to our work which often means striving to ensure that ordinary people are involved in the decisions which affect their lives and in the delivery of our public services. This is exactly what DPP members are doing on behalf of the public. They can help improve policing by raising directly with the PSNI the key concerns and priorities in their communities. They are not legitimate targets for anyone but they are public spirited citizens. In the past NICVA has had to call on those issuing threats against community workers to lift those threats. We do so again ."

Mr McAleavey continued: “To all those members of the Policing Board and District Policing Partnerships, particularly those from our sector, we say you have our support .”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Seamus McAleavey, Chief Executive, NICVA 028 9087 7777 (w) 07785 278929 (mobile)