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

Panic system alarms must be operational asap, whatever it takes. - Alex Maskey

Published: 25 July, 2008

Panic system alarms must be operational asap, whatever it takes. - Alex Maskey

Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey, South Belfast MLA and Policing Board member has condemned the attack on a young girl in the Dublin Road area of the city centre.

He has further added that the panic button system in Belfast, operated and controlled by the PSNI, which has been off-line since Tuesday night, must be fixed whatever it takes, over the coming days. Of the 5 emergency contact points in the city centre, one was located on the Dublin Road, close to where the sexual assault of a women occurred last night.

"I have spoken to the PSNI commander for the City Centre area today, and i have expressed my concern that this system is currently not operational. I made it clear to the PSNI, that whatever maintenance or repairs need to take place to have these emergency contact points operating again must be completed as soon as possible."

"I urge the PSNI to give a clear indication, as to when these contact points will be operational again."

"Unfortunately, the news that the contact points are undergoing maintenance could prompt those in our society that prey on vulnerable people to take advantage of this situation."

"I have asked the PSNI to send a clear message to the thugs who prey on women, that their actions will not be tolerated and the PSNI should be highly visible over the coming weeks to reassure citizens of this city that it is a safe environment, and their can be no hiding place for the thugs who carry out these type of attacks. Women should feel as safe as any other citizen in our city. The PSNI have a duty to ensure that all measures are taken, including the repair and operation of these emergency contact points, to provide a safe environment for all the citizens of Belfast to enjoy the city centre."ENDS