Bessbrook residents are feeling vulnerable and afraid since the closure of the police station a number of years ago, according to councillors.
Danny Kennedy MLA and Cllr David Taylor have expressed their serious concern at the level of criminal activity currently taking place in the area as a result.
Concerns have been raised once again following reports that a number of men travelling in a dark coloured car, possibly a BMW 1 Series, had broken into properties in Loughbrickland and Bessbrook on Friday evening.
A family pet was killed and left on a child’s bed at the house in Bessbrook.
These incidents follow reports in days prior, of suspicious activity in the Bessbrook and Camlough areas.
These incidents involved men travelling in a car matching the description with police believing the incidents are linked.
Mr Kennedy said local people felt vulnerable and afraid and he called on the entire community to be vigilant and assist the PSNI with any information to thwart the criminal gang currently operating in the area.
The Ulster unionist representative has spoken to senior police commanders in the area asking for more resources to be deployed in the Bessbrook area.
He said that since the closure of the PSNI Station in the village a number of years ago, many people felt exposed and vulnerable – particularly the elderly – and he said action was required by the Police to provide confidence to the entire local community.
Cllr Taylor sympathised with those families and individuals who had experienced burglaries recently and said he also would be pursuing the problem with the PSNI.
Read more news:
Taoiseach confirms Pope visit to Ireland with Armagh heavily-tipped to be on agenda
Investigation launched after Co Armagh man found dead at house
Investigation launched into man’s death after van enters Newry canal
Markethill’s Christmas sale and auction raises incredible £32,000 for Air Ambulance NI
Keady named runner-up at prestigious Pride of Place national awards gala event
Staff in shocking ordeal as knifeman demands till contents at rural cricket club
Family of pet dog ‘bludgeoned to death’ in child’s bed devastated by unimaginable horror
