Special policing committees to be launched in 114 local authority areas

SPECIAL policing committees will be set up in each of the 114 local authority areas as soon as possible next year, Justice Minister Brian Lenihan said yesterday.

Mr Lenihan made the announcement at a seminar yesterday that reviewed the working of 29 Joint Policing Committees (JPCs), which have been piloted in selected areas. The JPCs — which bring together senior gardaí and local authority representatives — are aimed at tackling local crime and antisocial behaviour.

“I intend to establish a committee in each local authority area in the country as early as possible in 2008... following consultation with my colleagues the ministers for the environment, heritage and local government and community, rural and Gaeltacht affairs. That will involve issuing a new set of guidelines,” said Mr Lenihan. He added that the seminar would feed into those guidelines. The seminar was also addressed by Mr Lenihan and Environment Minister John Gormley as well as assistant commissioner Al McHugh.