Upper Falls
The neighbourhoods within West Belfast patrolled by the Upper Falls Neighbourhood Policing Team are divided into three beat areas:
- Hannahglen Heights, Hawthorn Glen, Glen Colin, Aitnamona;
- Lenadoon, Hillhead;
- Suffolk, Ladybrook, Brooke and Blacks Road;
Hannahglen Heights, Hawthorn Glen, Glen Colin, Aitnamona
This beat includes all housing estates above the Glen Road and extends onto White Mountain.
Lenadoon and Hillhead
This beat takes in Lenadoon, Suffolk Road and the Hillhead areas to include the areas around Woodbourne Crescent, Upper Suffolk Road and Shaws Road.
Suffolk, Ladybrook, Brooke and Blacks Road
The areas within Suffolk, Ladybrook and Brooke are included within this beat as are those off Blacks Road and Finaghy Road North.
The Upper Falls Neighbourhood Policing Team are based at Woodbourne Police Station.
- Your Neighbourhood Policing Team
- Contact us
- Get involved
- You said - We did
- Neighbourhood Watch / DPP
- Neighbourhood News
Your Neighbourhood Policing Team
| Name of Officer | Mobile Telephone Number | Neighbourhood Patrolled |
| Sergeant Robinson | 07795 152 719 | Sergeant, Upper Falls Neighbourhood Team |
| Constable Kealey Constable Taylor | 07748 282 723 07825 163 954 | Hannahglen Heights, Hawthorn Glen, Glen Colin, Aitnamona |
| Constable Ruddy Constable Walker Constable Marsella | 07734 909 733 07786 875 119 07787 429338 | Lenadoon and Hillhead |
| Constable Ward | 07787 423 504 | Suffolk, Ladybrook, Brook, Blacks Road |
Each Neighbourhood Team within West Belfast also has Liaison Officers dedicated to the groups and activities outlined below. The Upper Falls Liaison Officers and their contact details are as follows: Citizenship and Safety Education / Schools Liaison Officer Minority Liaison Officer Traveller Liaison Officer In an emergency always use 999. If you are reporting a crime or require police response following an incident please dial 0845 600 8000. Local neighbourhood officers can be contacted to discuss non urgent community partnership/engagement issues in your local area. When a neighbourhood officer is not available to take your call you may leave a message. If it is not an emergency and you believe another officer can assist you, please ring 0845 600 8000. Alternatively you can email on NPTUpperFalls@psni.pnn.police.uk |
Contact us | ||
| Neighbourhood Policing Team Contact Telephone | 02890 259899 | |
| Crime stoppers Telephone Number | 0800 555 111 | |
| Emergency Telephone Number | 999 | |
| Non-emergency Telephone Number | 0845 600 8000 | |
| Text number | 07795 152 719 | |
| NPTUpperFalls@psni.pnn.police.uk |
Woodbourne Police Station has 24 hour opening to the public.
Details of other agencies who may be of assistance to you:
| Agency | Telephone Number | Email Address |
| Belfast City Council (BCC) | 02890 320202 | generalenquiries@belfastcity.gov.uk |
| BCC Noise Control | 02890 373006 | envhealth@belfastcity.gov.uk |
| District Policing Partnership West Belfast sub-group | 02890 270684 | dpp@belfastcity.gov.uk |
Citizens Advice Bureau |
| ecentralbelfast@citizensadvice.co.uk fallscab@citizensadvice.co.uk suffolkandandersonstowncab@citizensadvice.co.uk enorthbelfast@citizensadvice.co.uk eshankill@citizensadvice.co.uk |
| Victim Support | 02890 244039 | info@victimsupportni.org.uk |
Housing Executive (NIHE) | 03448 920900 General Enquiries | belfastnorth@nihe.gov.uk belfastwest@nihe.gov.uk belfastshankill@nihe.gov.uk |
| Women’s Aid | 0800 917 1414 | info@womensaidni.org |
| The Samaritans | 08457 909090 | jo@samaritans.org |
| Childline | 0800 1111 | nireland@childline.org.uk |
| Age NI | 0808 808 7575 | |
| Contact | 0808 808 8000 | |
| Forum for Action on Substance Abuse (FASA) | 02890 803040 | info@fasaonline.org |
| Lighthouse | 02890 755070 | info@lighthouseireland.org |
Get involved |
| You can get involved with helping us to make your neighbourhood safer by telling us the issues that you think need to be addressed by attending one of your local partnership meetings. |
| Method of engagement | How to find out more |
| Upper Falls Community Safety Forum | Sergeant Byrne is the liaison officer for the Community Safety Forum, he can be contacted on 07734 909 733 or 02890 259899. |
| Springfield and Lenadoon Interface Group | Speak to Sergeant Robinson on 07795 152 719 or 0845 600 8000 extension 25734 to discuss in more detail. |
| DPP Meetings in Public | Speak to a local neighbourhood officer, or a member of your local DPP, or alternatively you can telephone the DPP on 02890 270684. |
| Youth and Sport Clubs | Neighbourhood officers work with youth and sports clubs in the Upper Falls area. For more details please contact Sergeant Robinson. |
| Pizza With Peelers Project | Involves young people and local police engaging in debate a on a wide range of issues. For more details please contact Sergeant Robinson. |
| Citizenship and Safety Education (CASE) | Presentations delivered to young people through schools and educational groups. For more details please contact Constable Taylor. |
| Residents Groups | Neighbourhood officers engage regularly with residents groups to discuss and tackle community concerns. Details of groups are listed below, for further information please contact Sergeant Robinson. |
| Community Surgery | Events which provide an informal opportunity for the local community to meet with police and other agencies to raise concerns about issues in the local area. For further information please contact Sgt Robinson. |
| Contact your neighbourhood police officers for more details of where and when your next meeting will take place. If you are unable to come along to a meeting but have an issue that you would like to let us know about, please phone us on 02890 259899. |
You Said We Did
Suffolk Lenadoon Community Safety Partnership
The Suffolk Lenadoon Community Safety Partnership was established in January 2012 to deliver improved information sharing and communication between police and members of the local community. Whilst providing a strategic approach to tackling community safety issues and maintaining safety at interface areas.
In recent months local Neighbourhood officers have been working alongside Suffolk Community Forum, Lenadoon Community Forum, Suffolk and Greater Andersonstown Safer Neighbourhoods Projects, Brooke Residents Association, Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group and local councillors.
The partnership recently established at initiative involving members of Woodbourne neighbourhood team and local woman’s groups to increase effort towards resolving anti social behaviour concerns. The woman’s groups were chosen in particular, as parents who may be able to provide a gateway for officers to relate directly with the young people involved in anti social behaviour.
First Steps Play Group
Constable Taylor and Constable Walker have been working with First Steps Play Group which was established to provide child care assistance to enable mothers to return to work or enter into full time education. This child care provides care for the young children that the conventional child care does not provide.
Officers visited the group as part of a presentation on ‘Part of our job we do in the community’ to talk about the role of a police officer. This was received very positively by the children and their parents, feedback from the group co-ordinator has also been positive with reports that a number of children continued to talk to their parents about this visit. Discussions are on going with this group about further engagement.
Anti Burglary Patrols
In recent months officers with responsibility for the West Belfast area have carried out a number of dedicated anti burglary patrols in hotspot areas. Between January – March 2012 160 anti-burglary operations have been carried out across West Belfast targeting hotspot areas aiming to reduce burglary activity. Local neighbourhood officers continue to distribute anti burglary leaflets to homes and deliver burglary prevention guidance though local community groups.
Neighbourhood officers with responsibility for the Woodbourne area have been delivering leaflets and burglary prevention information to local Neighbourhood watch and church groups. Officers have also been involved in house to house enquires in areas where burglaries have taken place. It is hoped this engagement will continue to ensure that key crime prevention messages are communicated to residents throughout the local area and reduce the opportunities for people to be victims of these crimes.
Deaf Link Officer
Constable Taylor, a neighbourhood officer based at Woodbourne is the Deaf Link officer within A, B and C Districts which involves reviewing communication through the PSNI Emergency Text Service for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Speech Impaired. Constable Taylor reviews all reports received through the emergency text service to a certain appropriate police response, working in partnership with the Sensory Support Team of the Belfast Health Trust to establish contact and home visits as required. In recent months Constable Taylor has been involved in a number of anti social behaviour reports through this system ensuring that appropriate support is received by vulnerable members of the community.
Interface Patrols
Work continues at interface areas across West Belfast, officers have increased foot patrol visibility in recent months, in an effort to combat anti social behaviour in the area and increase engagement with members of the local community. Officers have been talking with parents to increase their awareness of interface activity involving young people, it is hoped this increased partnership will encourage young people not to participate in interface violence.
Meadowhill Grange Neighbourhood Watch
The Meadowhill Grange Neighbourhood Watch is now up and running and the scheme has secured approval from the Department of Justice. Constable Ball, the Woodbourne Neighbourhood officer involved in establishing the Watch, met with the Co-ordinator on the 5th of December 2011 to provide a progress update.
Constable Ball has also met with Constable Taylor-Holmes, who is the overall Neighbourhood Watch police co-ordinator for the Belfast area, regarding the creation of future schemes in West Belfast. A possible scheme for the Woodland Grange area has been discussed.
Tackling Car Crime in West Belfast
Police officers in West Belfast have been focusing on interventions that can contribute to a reduction in car crime. Activity has ranged from paying close attention to prolific offenders and providing crime prevention advice to motorists, who may be at risk from having valuables stolen from their vehicles.
In one particular incident, where a Mazda MX-5 was stolen and driven erratically, mounting footpaths and spinning on the road in front of homes in the Ross Road area, police persistence resulted in two males being arrested in connection with the incident.
As a result of the strenuous objections to High Court Bail, which were made by an officer from the Grosvenor Road Crime Team, the Judge acknowledged that there was ‘clear evidence of the possibility of serious further offences being committed’ and ‘the clear risk to public safety’, and subsequently the bail application was refused.
Commenting on the matter Inspector Watton said, “We have and continue to make a concerted effort to tackle car crime. A focused crime prevention campaign has been implemented in the Lower Falls area to make car owners aware of the need to remove valuables from sight and we are using all channels available to maintain our focus on identified prolific offenders, who steal vehicles. The joined up approach by the Auto Crime Team, Response, Neighbourhood Teams and CID is having a positive impact.”
Belfast Alley Gating Scheme – Partnership Working Secures Results
The results of phase 3 of the Belfast Alley Gating Scheme were announced in December by Belfast City CouncilHealth & Environmental Committee. As a result of effective and true partnership working it was confirmed that the following areas would have alley gates installed:
- Beechview Park (top alley)
- Monagh Road
- Norglen Court
- Rock Grove
- New Barnsley Crescent
This demonstrates how integrated working between Belfast City Council, elected representatives, Upper Springfield Community Safety Forum, PSNI, and local residents, can produce results that will have a meaningful impact on the quality of life for those in the local area.
Community Safety Day, Tullymore Community Centre
In partnership with the local community forum, Woodbourne NPT organised a community safety day at Tullymore Community Centre. A stall was set up offering crime prevention advice and members of public were provided with personal safety alarms, and anti crime leaflets. The Crime Prevention Officer, Constable Connolly, gave a safety talk on home security. The event was well received by those who attended.
ASB, Colin Glen
Constables Walker and Ruddy called with forestry officers at Colin Glen and discussed issues surrounding antisocial behaviour. Police provided an update on their actions thus far and outlined future plans such as patrolling the area at peak times when ASB is likely to occur. Staff at Colin Glen report that they are very satisfied with police actions thus far, and agree that this is an ongoing issue which is due to teenagers.
Community Surgery, Upper Falls
Members of the local community were invited to attend a community surgery in Upper Falls. The event, held in a Parish Hall, Blacks Road, provided an opportunity for residents in the local area to meet representatives from the local NPT, alongside representatives from NIHE, BCC and Victim Support, and raise in person any issues that may be impacting upon their quality of life.
The Community Surgery was organised by Inspector Wise from Woodbourne Neighbourhood, and originated from the Local Policing Plan for West Belfast. During consultations within the local planning process it was decided that four community surgery events would be held over the course of the year, which would provide an informal environment for local people to raise any concerns that they may have about day to day life in their local community.
Given that issues such as antisocial behaviour can require input from other agencies in order to find long lasting, effective solutions, police felt that in order for residents to have their concerns noted by the relevant agency, it would be better if representatives from the different organisations were all present, in the same room at the same time. Where there is a shared responsibility for an issue, it can now be raised with all parties at the same time within the surgery, and where follow up is required, the individual will have the relevant contact details of the person that they need to speak to.
Some very positive engagement took place at this event, the first of this kind to be held within West Belfast, and a number of issues ranging from drugs to antisocial behaviour were outlined as causes for concern. The local Neighbourhood Policing Team has been looking at ways in which these concerns can be addressed.
All those who attended completed feedback questionnaires which were all very supportive of this event and would welcome further events. Feedback of this nature is really important as it helps to shape service delivery. Police would like to thank all of those who took the time and effort to attend the surgery and share their views.
Domestic Abuse Update
The Domestic Abuse Unit continues to attend the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) Operational group which allows discussion of practice and practice issues and the sharing of information aimed to promote consistent good working practices. Officers have also been in attendance at the Domestic violence Partnership which aims to increase awareness and reduce incidents of Domestic Violence. The website for this partnership can be viewed at www.belfastdvp.co.uk which has many links to supportive groups and agencies.
A review of working practices within the Domestic Violence Unit has been conducted and plans are underway to create a more investigative aspect to the Domestic Abuse office from April 2012. It is anticipated the changes will assist local officers to improve the service they deliver by providing both support to victims of domestic crimes and targeting high risk offenders.
A District has referred 272 victims through the MARAC process between April 2011 and March 2012.
Domestic Violence Awareness Presentation
On 9th March 2012 a Domestic Abuse Officer attended Belfast Metropolitan College alongside our Women’s Aid representative who is attached to the A District Domestic Abuse office. A presentation was given to student social workers on the role of both the Domestic Abuse Unit and Women’s Aid which provided the students with an opportunity to gain insight into the different roles, responsibilities and provisions of a multi agency approach to tackling domestic violence.
Policing and Community Safety partnerships Councillor Matt Garrett is the Chair of the West Belfast Sub-Group of the Belfast PCSP. PCSP Contact Details: West Belfast Sub-Group
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Neighbourhood NewsA District Newsletter Community MinutesUpper Springfield Community Safety Forum Falls Park Minutes - 24 May 2011 (PDF, 26.8 KB) Upper Springfield Community Safety Forum Falls Park Minutes - 21 Jun 2011 (PDF, 119.3 KB) |
Last updated:
22 February 2012
