One-day event designed to help rural community fight back against crime

It is hoped the event - being held on Monday, December 5 at the Wellington Rec Football Club in Millbrook from 10am to 8pm - will provide a one-stop opportunity for the borough’s rural community to learn more about crime prevention and steps that can be taken to help foil the criminal.

The initiative of Larne DPP, Ulster Farmers’ Union and the Larne PSNI is focusing on rural crime due to the increase in burglaries, metal thefts and rural property crime occuring throughout the borough.

It follows on from a successful rural crime seminar held in Ballymena recently, organised by the rural crime forum of PSNI H Division at which it was promised that each council area District Policing Partnership would provide a follow-up event in their area.

This Rural Crime Forum, chaired by Superintendent Ryan Henderson, former Larne Area Commander, comprises one representative from each of the five councils in H District - Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Larne and Moyle. Larne is represented on this forum by the Larne DPP vice-chairman Patricia McNeill.

The Millbrook one-day event has been organised by the DPP, PSNI and Ulster Farmers’ Union to provide farmers and the rural community with specialised advice from PSNI crime prevention officers as well as firms providing security lighting, alarms and locks.

Neighbourhood Watch will also provide a stand and hope to spread this service to all parts of the borough. Advice on how Farm, Church and School Watch works will also be given. A trailer-marking service will be provided free.

A spokesperson for the organising team said: “We would encourage as many people as possible, especially farmers, to avail of the free services at this day-long advice centre. The location has been chosen to facilitate ease of access for farm trailers and has adequate parking facilities. All are most welcome.”