Roadshow delivers hospital safety message
19 Oct 2009
A campaign targeting crime in the workplace was yesterday launched as part of a European-wide health and safety initiative.
The roadshow event at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast emphasised the zero tolerance approach to tackling crime in hospitals.
PSNI Constable Peter Connolly, a crime prevention officer, said the main aim of the campaign was to reassure and inform the public of the security mechanisms already in place.
"There are around 6,500 people working on this site and we want to make them aware of what is here to protect them." He said.
"There are CCTV cameras around the site which are monitored by security staff.
"There are layer upon layer of security at the hospital in an onion effect.
"Violence against anyone is not going to be tolerated."
Brian Rea, vice chairman of the Policing Board, said the campaign also encourages people to keep an eye on their belongings when they visit hospitals.
"It's about things like not leaving mobile phones lying around or wallets in coats that have been left hanging up," he said.
The European Health and Safety Week Roadshow will visit three other health care sites in Belfast this week: the City Hospital today, the Arches Health Centre tomorrow and the Mater Hospital on Thursday.
