30.8.04
Irelandclick.com
Cops are slammed over sex offence clear-up rate
Shocking new statistics obtained by the Andersonstown News reveal that detectives managed to clear up just eight – or 13 per cent – of 60 cases recorded in West Belfast between April 2003-04.
And we can further reveal that the clear-up record is worse than any of the PSNI’s 28 other District Command Units.
“The bare figure of eight clear-ups from 60 cases is quite low,” Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Sexual Abuse Forum and Lagan Valley SDLP MLA, Patricia Lewsley told the Andersonstown News, while West Belfast Sinn Féin Assemblyman Michael Ferguson described the statistic as “frightening”.
“People living in West Belfast, especially those associated with women’s groups, will have deep concerns about these frightening figures,” he said.
“Obvious questions need to be asked about the PSNI’s ability to resolve these matters.”
Local politicians hit out at shock figures
West Belfast cops are the worst at solving sex offence crimes in the whole of the North.
Statistics obtained by the Andersonstown News reveal that detectives managed to clear up just eight, or 13 per cent, of 60 cases recorded in West Belfast between April 2003-04.
This record, described as “frightening” by local politicians, is worse than any of the PSNI’s 28 other District Command Units.
When the PSNI talk about “clearing up” a crime it does not necessarily mean detectives have secured a conviction. Charges that are dropped or defeated in court are also included in the clear-up category. Bearing this in mind, the actual number of convictions secured by the West Belfast PSNI in relation to sex offences between April 2003-04 could be considerably less than eight out of 60 complaints.
Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Sexual Abuse Forum and Lagan Valley SDLP MLA, Patricia Lewsley, is concerned by the figures but pointed out that the figures may not tell the whole story.
“All of West Belfast’s 60 complaints could have been referred to the DPP, with it only selecting eight to press ahead with,” explained Mrs Lewsley.
“The NISABF is currently trying to find out from the PSNI how many cases it forwarded to the DPP.
“That statistic will then allow us to see where the real crux of the problem lies.
“Admittedly though, the bare figure of eight clear-ups from 60 cases is quite low.”
Sinn Féin Assemblyman Michael Ferguson described the statistic as “frightening”.
“People living in West Belfast, especially those associated with women’s groups, will have deep concerns about these frightening figures,” he said.
“Obvious questions need to be asked about the PSNI’s ability to resolve these matters.”
West Belfast detectives’ 13 per cent clear-up rate lags well behind the North’s other 28 PSNI District Command Units. The areas with the second and third worst clear-up rates are South and North Belfast on 32 and 33.3 per cent.
Although poor, the scores in these two areas are almost treble that of West Belfast.
Journalist:: Ciaran Barnes
Cops are slammed over sex offence clear-up rate
Shocking new statistics obtained by the Andersonstown News reveal that detectives managed to clear up just eight – or 13 per cent – of 60 cases recorded in West Belfast between April 2003-04.
And we can further reveal that the clear-up record is worse than any of the PSNI’s 28 other District Command Units.
“The bare figure of eight clear-ups from 60 cases is quite low,” Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Sexual Abuse Forum and Lagan Valley SDLP MLA, Patricia Lewsley told the Andersonstown News, while West Belfast Sinn Féin Assemblyman Michael Ferguson described the statistic as “frightening”.
“People living in West Belfast, especially those associated with women’s groups, will have deep concerns about these frightening figures,” he said.
“Obvious questions need to be asked about the PSNI’s ability to resolve these matters.”
Local politicians hit out at shock figures
West Belfast cops are the worst at solving sex offence crimes in the whole of the North.
Statistics obtained by the Andersonstown News reveal that detectives managed to clear up just eight, or 13 per cent, of 60 cases recorded in West Belfast between April 2003-04.
This record, described as “frightening” by local politicians, is worse than any of the PSNI’s 28 other District Command Units.
When the PSNI talk about “clearing up” a crime it does not necessarily mean detectives have secured a conviction. Charges that are dropped or defeated in court are also included in the clear-up category. Bearing this in mind, the actual number of convictions secured by the West Belfast PSNI in relation to sex offences between April 2003-04 could be considerably less than eight out of 60 complaints.
Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Sexual Abuse Forum and Lagan Valley SDLP MLA, Patricia Lewsley, is concerned by the figures but pointed out that the figures may not tell the whole story.
“All of West Belfast’s 60 complaints could have been referred to the DPP, with it only selecting eight to press ahead with,” explained Mrs Lewsley.
“The NISABF is currently trying to find out from the PSNI how many cases it forwarded to the DPP.
“That statistic will then allow us to see where the real crux of the problem lies.
“Admittedly though, the bare figure of eight clear-ups from 60 cases is quite low.”
Sinn Féin Assemblyman Michael Ferguson described the statistic as “frightening”.
“People living in West Belfast, especially those associated with women’s groups, will have deep concerns about these frightening figures,” he said.
“Obvious questions need to be asked about the PSNI’s ability to resolve these matters.”
West Belfast detectives’ 13 per cent clear-up rate lags well behind the North’s other 28 PSNI District Command Units. The areas with the second and third worst clear-up rates are South and North Belfast on 32 and 33.3 per cent.
Although poor, the scores in these two areas are almost treble that of West Belfast.
Journalist:: Ciaran Barnes
