Community safety project supported by Housing Executive

A specialised community safety team is supporting residents who want to report crime and anti-social behaviour in the area directly to the Housing Executive, PSNI, Belfast City Council and other statutory organisations. 

Funding comes from the Housing Executive’s Community Safety Fund and provide much needed support for salaries and other running costs. 

Areas covered by the project include Castle Street and Divis Street areas in the city centre, stretching to the outskirts of west Belfast, including Suffolk Road, Poleglass, Twinbrook and Lagmore. 

Micheal Donnelly, from Upper Springfield Development Trust, said: “Our community safety projects play a pivotal role in building confidence among local residents. 

“By supporting people to report incidents of crime, our different programmes help people act against wrongdoing, fostering a sense of security and control within the community.” 

He added: “We liaise with statutory bodies, bridging the gap between residents and authorities, ensuring that concerns are heard and addressed promptly. 

“Through our proactive approach to resolving community safety issues, such as vandalism or anti-social behaviour, the project demonstrates tangible results, instilling confidence that positive change is possible.

“Ultimately, the collective efforts of such initiatives strengthen community bonds and create a safer, more resilient neighbourhoods where residents feel empowered and secure.”

Ciarrai Reilly, from the community safety team at the Housing Executive, said: “We are pleased to be able to support the excellent work that the Trust does.

“It is important to us as an organisation that we help build community confidence, find local solutions to issues and work together with the community and other interested parties.

“We want every resident to feel safe in their home, enjoy living in their neighbourhood and feel confident when reporting anti-social behaviour to the relevant authorities.”