South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Call for sex offender management information at South Belfast DPP

Published: 13 September, 2009

Balmoral Sinn Féin representative, and member of the South Belfast DPP, Vincent Parker is to ask the South Belfast DPP to invite the PSNI's Public Protection Unit to make a presentation on the PSNI's management of sex offenders in the area.


Vincent Parker was speaking in advance of this Tuesday's private South Belfast DPP meeting, and after serious concerns had been raised about the number of convicted sex offenders being housed in South Belfast.


Mr Parker said,

"Many people in South Belfast are quite understandably concerned about the large number of convicted sex offenders being housed in the area. These concerns have exacerbated in the past week by the news that convicted rapist Michael Quinn has been housed in South Belfast. In addition to this, two sexual assaults on children not far from the walkway between the Lower Ormeau and Markets occurred within the past week.


"In July of this year convicted sex offender Paul Hunter Redpath was apprehended after he absconded from a hostel in South Belfast. Incidents such as this raise the concerns of the public about the ability of the PSNI in South Belfast to adequately manage the high numbers of convicted sex offenders being housed in the area.


"South Belfast houses the highest number of convicted sex offenders in the North and residents in South Belfast are concerned that the area is becoming a dumping ground. The reality management of these sex offenders is also a drain on the resources of the local PSNI, resources which need to be targeted into community policing."


He concluded,

"I will be asking at this week's private South Belfast DPP meeting that we invite members of the PSNI's Public Protection Unit to attend a public meeting and explain how they manage sex offenders in the area. It is essential, given the concerns of the public about this issue that the public are given an opportunity to question the PSNI on this topic and make their voice heard on this issue." CRÍOCH