Everyone loves a bit of downtime, especially at the weekend… if you’re lucky enough to get it!
But it’s well known that the weekend brings with it an exorbitant amount of anti-social behaviour both in Armagh city and its surrounding towns and villages.
Anti-social behaviour covers a wide gamut of activity including – but not limited to – underage drinking, trespassing, loitering, theft and vandalism.
And while it can happen anywhere at any time, there are a few areas known to police where they pay particularly close attention.
On Saturday night (February 21) the Armagh Neighbourhood Policing team invited Armagh I to attend a “ride along” across the city and its periphery on a routine patrol of some of those areas.
Leaving the station shortly after 7pm, officers made their way towards the Drumarg area before moving on to Mullacreevie and Legar Hill.
Speaking to Armagh I about what they are looking for on patrol, Constable Thompson said: “We are going into areas where we have been informed of issues by local residents.
“Often, in speaking to residents at PCSP meetings or while out on duties, we hear concerns that police are not in their areas. When we do hear this we make a note of it and factor those areas into our patrols in the future.”
The Constable explained that a regular police presence is sometimes enough to deter anti-social behaviour and, when they do come across situations while on patrol, they are able to take action there and then, as required.
Their patrols then took them towards Alexander Avenue and Gardens, the Lisanally area and Lonsdale car park and Railway Street.
While driving, officers are constantly checking their surrounds and drive into every “nook and cranny” of the areas they patrol on the look-out for suspicious activity.
An element of their patrol work also gives “comfort” to residents, says Constable Thompson, in knowing that police are keeping a watchful eye during the late evenings.
Following the patrols of Armagh city, police then made their way out to Richhill village when a “blue light call” forced their redirection.
After attending to the incident, police then resumed their patrols, moving this time towards Markethill – where there has been a spike in anti-social behaviour in recent months – by way of Seagahan and Carrickatuke.
While both fairly rural locations, officers explained that both the Seagahan dam and Carrickatuke areas are hotspots for fly-tipping among other illicit activities. It’s something they like to keep a close watch over and regularly factor into their patrols.
The Neighbourhood Policing team are always keen to hear from the public and welcome information that may further improve their patrol strategy.
You can make a report of non-emergency crime online here or via 101.
