SDLP Policing Board member Mark H Durkan has welcomed recognition of the need to improve PSNI resourcing and officer numbers.

He was speaking after an SDLP Opposition amendment was passed in the Assembly on Monday.

It urged the Executive and UK Government to work with the PSNI and Policing Board to address the issues facing the police service.

Foyle MLA Mr Durkan said:

“For years the PSNI have been warning that budget cuts would have dire consequences and after a total failure from the Executive and Justice Minister to address the challenges facing our police service we are now beginning to see the outworking of this on our streets and in our communities with severe consequences for victims of crime.

“This has been a very difficult summer for our police service responding to racist and sectarian riots and even having to take the step of asking for the support of police in other parts of these islands due to the lack of officers available. That we have less than 4,500 deployable officers available is cause for serious concern and the matter is not helped when the Chief Constable is rebuked for seeking additional help from the government.

“I welcome the support for our amendment today which cut through the din of Executive parties squabbling with each other to bring much needed focus to what is a very important issue that affects everyone in the North. Our police service should never have been allowed to get into this state and every stakeholder has to duty to ensure they have the resources necessary to increase officer numbers and keep people safe.”