SECTARIAN incidents in Fermanagh and Omagh have almost doubled in the last year, the PSNI’s annual crime statistics have revealed.

The figures, published last week, show that there were 48 incidents with a sectarian motivation in the Fermanagh and Omagh policing district in 2016-17, compared to 26 in the previous 12 months.

This increase of 22 incidents – a hike of around 85 per cent – was the largest rise recorded in all of the policing districts across Northern Ireland over the last year.

According to the report containing the hate crime figures, sectarianism is a term used to describe incidents of bigoted dislike or hatred of members of a different religious or political group.

Speaking to the Impartial Reporter this week, the PSNI’s Fermanagh and Omagh District Commander, Superintendent Jane Humphries, said she was “saddened” to see the rise in sectarian hate crime locally.

She added: “We remain resolute in our commitment to identifying those responsible but we do need communities to work with us.”

While there were rises in sectarian incidents and domestic abuse incidents in Fermanagh and Omagh over the last 12 months, the statistics revealed that overall crime in the area fell in 2016-17.

Supt Humphries said: “Across Northern Ireland crime has fallen 6.6 per cent year on year and is at its lowest level since the series commenced almost 20 years ago.

“In Fermanagh and Omagh I am pleased to report that the number of crimes reported over the past 12 months is down by an even greater margin at -7.2 per cent. This represents 358 fewer local victims.”

She said there had been “significant reductions” in both violent crime and burglary.

The District Commander said: “We know that these are crime types that concern our community and we have been working hard in these areas to not only reduce the number of incidents through targeted patrolling and disruption activity, but also through education, community outreach work and via our hugely popular social media channels.”

Supt Humphries acknowledged that, over the next year, her officers would continue to operate in a “challenging” financial environment.

She added: “However, officers across Fermanagh and Omagh have shown outstanding dedication over the past 12 months and remain committed to keeping the people of the district safe.
“We will continue to work hard with our community and partner agencies as we go forward into the next 12 months.”