PSNI Area Commander Paula Hilman detailed the main aims for 2008/09 at the launch of the latest local Policing Plan at Corrs Corner Hotel on Friday.

A large crowd of police officers, politicians, District Policing Partnership members and community representatives heard the Chief Inspector voice her commitment to "provide the best possible police service for the people of Newtownabbey."

The Commander highlighted the latest statistics which show a 22 per cent drop in crime across the borough, but gave an assurance that she and her officers are committed to making even further reductions - particularly in key areas such as hate crimes, anti-social behaviour, burglaries, violent crime, drug dealing and road traffic accidents.

"My job is to ensure that we listen to the community and that people receive an efficient, effective, progressive and professional policing service tailored for the needs of this area. This can best be achieved through the community and ourselves working closely in partnership.

"It is the role of the District Policing Partnership to monitor our targets on behalf of all of the community at regular public meetings throughout the year, and we will work with them and support them in doing this.

"We look forward to continuing to build on the work which has been done with existing partners, as well as establishing new partnerships during the year ahead to deliver for the people of this area," Chief Inspector Hilman commented.

The Chairman of Newtownabbey DPP, councillor Tom Campbell, welcomed the publication of the latest plan, stressing that reducing levels of anti-social behaviour will be a high priority in the coming 12 months.

"This plan reflects the main concerns we brought to the District Commander which were identified by the District Policing Partnership as we listened to people from all parts of the borough. Together with my colleagues in the DPP we will be closely monitoring how well the Police Service tackle the priorities identified.

"What we in the DPP want to achieve is not only a reduction in crime and the level of anti-social behaviour, but a sense of wellbeing in the community and a reduction in the fear of crime," he said.

Mayor Nigel Hamilton, who also spoke at the launch, believes that the latest Policing Plan "sets the bar high" in terms of targets for the forthcoming year.

"I have every confidence that we will achieve these objectives and that we will continue to set the bar high," he commented.

The 2008/09 plan has been developed after extensive consultation with the District Policing Partnership, the community and police officers.

Copies of the document are available from local police stations or the DPP Manager at Mossley Mill.