Recent traffic congestion in Belfast has slowed down police response times, the Chair of the Police Federation in NI has said.
Motorists have had to contend with long delays as a combination of roadworks, accidents and an increased number of vehicles which have brought the city centre to a standstill on numerous occasions in recent weeks.
Both the Chair of Police Federation NI (PFNI) Liam Kelly and PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton have acknowledged the increased congestion has had an effect on police response times.
PSNI: Congestion has “certainly slowed down” emergency police response
Mr Kelly said police were “doing their best”.
“It has certainly slowed down – especially in Belfast city centre- but again, police can only do their best in terms of getting through,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
“Thankfully, other motorists do move and let us through, but it absolutely does slow down the police response, there is no doubt about that.”
This week, Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd said he himself was limiting his trips into the city centre to avoid contributing to the congestion.
Mr O’Dowd had told the Assembly on Monday that anyone travelling into Belfast by car should “expect congestion”.
Business leaders also hit out at suggestions people should avoid the city centre, citing the impact it would have on trade.
A meeting between the Department and a business representative group to discuss the issue has been brought forward to this Thursday, having originally been scheduled for January 2025.
Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton admitted the traffic had caused some delays to police response, but that normal procedure was usually sufficient to get them through the gridlock.
“It’s something that we have to contend with, but of course, that’s why we have lights and sirens to make sure that we can be as effective in terms of cutting our way through that traffic,” he said.
PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton speaking to reporters on Wednesday. Pic: Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
Mr Singleton was speaking at a press conference called by the PSNI to highlight the growing problem of cars being used to ram police vehicles during call outs.
He revealed 58 officers had so far been injured in 40 recorded ramming incidents during 2024 and appealed for anyone who knows those responsible to contact police.
“These are not statistics; we are talking about human beings in these uniforms,” he said.
“That’s why we and the Federation are so concerned; these are officers that are suffering traumatic incidents and injuries and their families have to go through that ordeal with them.
“Over the last five years, ramming of police vehicles has cost the PSNI – and by extension the tax payer – over £400,000.
“For an under-resourced police service, that is an additional cost that we can ill-afford.
“But of course, when police officers are injured, that means they are not available to do the job that we all want and need to see them do, which is protect the community.”