THE lockdown has had some positive impacts in Fermanagh, as the District Commander for Fermanagh and Omagh told The Impartial Reporter that crime is down more than 20 per cent from last year in the district.

Reflecting on policing throughout Covid-19, Superintendent Alywin Barton, District Commander for Fermanagh and Omagh District, said: “Within the district, crime has fallen by more than 20 per cent during the past year.

“The main reductions have been in the areas of violence, with injury, burglaries, theft and criminal damage [all down].

“This is reflective of the various lockdowns, [and the] closure of [the] social economy, and restrictions on road movement.”

However, one crime has remained a constant, explained Superintendent Barton.

Consistent level

He said: “There remains a consistent level of reporting of domestic abuse. During these unprecedented times of the Covid-19 pandemic, people have been spending more time at home, which can at times create potentially stressful situations.

“Domestic abuse is a crime and victims can be assured that we are here for them.

“Anyone who is suffering from domestic abuse can contact us on the non-emergency 101 number, or 999 in an emergency.”

Superintendent Barton said that the people of Fermanagh have been acting responsibly. He added: “For the most part, the people of Fermanagh have really stepped up to take personal responsibility, follow the regulations and make personal sacrifices to slow the spread of this deadly virus.

“There are always people who will try and push the boundaries, who adopt the notion that it doesn’t affect them, or there are people who are only slightly skirting round the edge of it [breaking or bending rules] and going into someone’s house they shouldn’t be in, and then wondering why the infection rate in an area rises a week later.”

Throughout his interview with The Impartial Reporter, Superintendent Barton reaffirmed his belief that “personal responsibility is the secret and solution for Covid-19”.

The PSNI service has had to adapt for Covid-19, including changes to custody, said Superintendent Barton.

“A bespoke custody facility has been established to accommodate detained persons who indicate they are Covid-positive or symptomatic.”

Like many across the community, some officers and staff have contracted Covid-19 in the past year.

Superintendent Barton said: “There have been some instances of our officers and staff contracting Covid-19 in the course of their duties.

“Within the service, we have a contact-tracing structure in place which identifies those people who have been in close contact with any employee who tests positive.”

All options are being considered to protect the community, said Superintendent Barton.

“None of our police stations have been closed to the public at any stage, but we would not hesitate to do so should it be assessed as necessary to protect the community.”

Superintendent Barton confirmed that the types of crime in the district have changed, such as violent crimes in the social economy being reduced.

He said: “We know that criminals and fraudsters will stop at nothing to dupe people out of their money, and many aim to exploit the pandemic for financial gain.

Scams circulating

“We have become aware of a number of scams circulating, including a phishing text message scam circulating telling people that they are ‘eligible’ for the Covid-19 vaccination.

“We have also seen a number of incidents recently of ‘sextortion’; a form of blackmail where a perpetrator threatens to reveal intimate images of the victim online unless they give in to their demands.

“We want people to know that they can come to us if they have been a victim of this type of crime. There is no shame in coming forward,” he said.