Closer links between gardaí and community ‘essential’

WATERFORD’S sprawling, expanding community needs to have closer links with gardaí in an effort to clamp down on crime, a city councillor says.

Labour Party councillor Seamus Ryan says it is time for a community policing forum in Waterford City as well as a garda sub-station in his area of the city. It is imperative that we re-examine how we police our communities, said Mr Ryan.

A new community policing forum would represent all sections of the community and should include senior gardaí, elected councillors, members of the community, residents and business, he added.