Put safety first on your Christmas list and get home safe
With the final countdown to Christmas well underway, the PSNI and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Policing & Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) are once again reminding everyone to stay safe over the festive period.
We want everyone to enjoy the Christmas season and PSNI officers will be doing their bit to keep people safe in their homes, on the roads and when they are out and about socialising.
Chief Inspector Jon Burrows explains: “Our aim is to ensure that everyone enjoys a safe and peaceful festive season. You will see us out and about over the coming weeks as we increase our patrols to deter criminals and encourage everyone to behave responsibly.
“Protect yourself against theft and burglary by locking all your doors and windows. Remove all your valuables from sight – both at home and in your vehicle – and remain vigilant to suspicious activity.
“If you are having a night out during the festive season stay safe, look after each other. If you are drinking, don’t even think about getting behind the wheel of a car.
“We will be doing all we can to keep you safe over the Christmas season. We are here to help so if you need us over the coming weeks, just phone 101. Wishing all of you a very safe and peaceful Christmas.”
The PCSP and the PSNI have a clear message for Christmas revellers – put your safety first and get home safe!
Planning your journey home is one of the most important steps you can take to stay safe after a night out, so the PCSP offers a free ‘Get Home Safe’ bus service every Saturday night in Lurgan.
The free transport runs from William Street, Lurgan every Saturday night from midnight until 3am, and the PCSP is adding additional services over Christmas:
· Friday 22nd December 2017
· Tuesday 26th December 2017 (Boxing night)
· Sunday 31st December 2017 (New Years Eve)
The timetable is as follows
12.00am -12.45am On Request
1.00 am Derrytrasna
1.30am Craigavon and Portadown
2.00am Craigavon and Portadown
2.30am Gawleys Gate or on request as per demand
Drop off locations are, in order: William Street; Old Portadown Road; Meadowbrook Cross Roads; Ardowen Bus Stop; Moyraverty shops (on request); Clonmeen; Enniskeen; Highfield; Northway to Portadown. Portadown drop off locations are: opposite train station (on request); Northern Bank (on request); Derrymacash; Derrytasna; Aghagallon; Loughshore; Derrymore (on request).
PCSP Chair Councillor Maire Cairns said: “Christmas is such a busy time for most people with the chance to socialise and celebrate with family and friends. The PCSP works with the PSNI and others throughout the year to give people the information they need to keep themselves and their things safe; and Christmas is no different. In fact, with more reason to be out and about, it is extra important to keep this advice in mind.
“We fully support the PSNI messages. Simple things like planning journeys home after a night out so driving is not an option; and thinking about how to get to work the next morning if there is a chance you could be over the limit, are all things that could prevent an accident or worse.”
“We really want people to enjoy themselves this Christmas but urge people to make sure they put their own safety, and that of others, is first on their Christmas list.”
