PSNI need SAT NAV to find Garvagh

Last Thursday local police attended a meeting set up by DUP MLA Adrian McQuillan in a bid to tackle ongoing antisocial behaviour in the rural

town.

Residents at the meeting vented their frustrations about response times and methods of dealing with complaints.

One resident claimed that three hours after reporting a criminal damage incident, two female officers arrived at her Garvagh home blaming their

broken sat-nav for being late.

The police had been called after the resident's car had been attacked by youths throwing objects.

"I was really shaken up by the actions of these youths," the resident, who did not wish to be named, told The Coleraine Times yesterday. "It

could have caused an accident." Police have promised the resident that they will look into the claims and report back at the next community meeting.

DUP MLA Adrian McQuillan said: "People in the Garvagh area are very annoyed by the ongoing antisocial behaviour.

"At the meeting residents were able to explain their feelings to police, and I hope that now something can be done to sort this out."

Some of those at the meeting claimed that they would be forced to take the law into their own hands if things didn't change - but Mr McQuillan

strongly advised against this.

"The last thing we want is for people to get involved themselves, but I can understand their feelings." Another resident said that many business premises along Main Street had been badly affected by

the anti-social behaviour.

"Many businesses have been out money getting windows fixed and graffiti removed.

"It is hard enough to keep a business going in the present climate without having to put up with on-going vandalism.

"Garvagh hit the news back in September after dozens of windows at the school were broken.

"We do not want this to continue, and I really

hope that the police make an effort to sort things

out," said the resident. Police did not respond to the resident's claims

about officers needing sat nav to find Garvagh. However Neighbourhood Inspector Catherine Magee told us: "Thursday night's residents meeting

in Garvagh arranged in partnership with Adrian McQuillan MLA was very worthwhile.

"A number of issues affecting the community were raised and discussed including local crime, anti-social behaviour and police response times.

"Advice was also given to one resident who raised a question concerning citizen's arrest.

"We plan to meet with the residents again soon, at the next Garvagh Forum in November, when we will outline what actions we have taken in the interim period to address the issues raised, and to look in more detail at events that are causing concern in the village.

"I would like to thank everyone for attending the meeting and for engaging with us in such a positive and constructive manner.

"We look forward to working closely with residents to find the best way to resolve on-going problems and to further explain the importance of

reporting incidents when they occur, making written

statements and the requirement to attend court to give evidence against offenders," concluded Inspector Magee.