A new four-person community garda unit to tackle the anti-social behaviour has been launched in Swords as a temporary measure.
Superintendent Ronan Barry told the Fingal Joint Policing Committee that the new unit has been working to deal with issues relating to attacks on young people and issues in the Ward River Valley.
These issues were raised at a public meeting of the Joint Policing Committee earlier this year and as part of a commitment given on the night the unit has been set up and is working to reduce anti-social behaviour in Swords.
The unit is temporary and there are currently no guarantees on how long it will be in place. When asked about this Superintendent Barry said that garda resourcing issues caused by retirements and members resigning makes committing permanently to such structures difficult.
Cllr Ian Carey, Chair of the Joint Policing Committee, said:
“This is a very positive development and it is particularly good to see the concerns of the community raised at the public JPC meetings responded to quicky. It was very clear from those public meetings that many young people are living in fear of attacks from other youths and intimidation. That is totally unacceptable and I’m very hopeful that this move will catch and deal with many of the those committing these crimes.
“The fact that the until will also focus on the Ward River Valley is also very positive. For many years there have been issues in the valley and it needs more patrolling and a committed effort to tackle anti-social behaviour there – particularly before any redevelopment happens.”
