Relationships between police and the community in west Belfast have deteriorated and distrust grown, a Cooperation Ireland report said (Liam McBurney/PA)

Relationships between police and the community in west Belfast have deteriorated and distrust grown, a report said.

Frustration with the “slow” pace of the criminal justice system produced low levels of reporting of crime and cooperation, researchers said.

Some viewed so-called punishment attacks as a form of immediate respite or redress, the report drawn up for Cooperation Ireland showed.

Relationships between the community and the PSNI are seen as deteriorating in recent yearsCooperation Ireland

It said: “There is a general sense of distrust in the PSNI and the criminal justice system and frustration with the slow pace of the criminal justice system has led to low levels of reporting and cooperation by the local community.

“Relationships between the community and the PSNI are seen as deteriorating in recent years.”

Neighbourhood police in West Belfast are responding to reports of ASB in the area of Laurelbank. This area and other ASB hotspots will be our focus tonight in response to community concerns. Parents - know where your kids are! #KeepingPeopleSafe pic.twitter.com/0ZZnhcjjHA — Police West Belfast (@PSNIBelfastW) November 24, 2018

One of the reasons for the cooling of relations is the perceived sporadic nature of police involvement in communities, the review added.

The withdrawal of “knowledgeable and experienced” policing teams from the areas is believed to have contributed to a “spike” in crime levels and undone progress, it said.

Woodbourne police station, which handles west Belfast, has seen a slight decline in total crime levels since 2016/17, PSNI figures showed.

Policing priorities in the area include tackling anti-social behaviour, drugs and burglary.

The Cooperation Ireland study said: “There is concern that the pace of turnover of local police teams means community and political leaders constantly have to build new relationships with the police.”

The lack of confidence in policing and the criminal justice system also stems from the perception that the police do not appear to act on or respond to information provided by the community, the document added.

It said: “There is also a growing disillusionment with the slow pace of the criminal justice system and the perceived leniency of sentences for repeat offenders.

“The effect of this is that people become less likely to report criminal behaviour to the police or cooperate with the criminal justice system, with some viewing so-called punishment attacks as a form of immediate respite or redress.”

High-level issues like delays in funding for legacy inquests continue to have an adverse effect on attitudes towards the police, the review found.

Expand Close Concerns around the separated regime involving paramilitary prisoners at Maghaberry Prison are one of the issues raised by people in west Belfast (Matthew Fearn/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Concerns around the separated regime involving paramilitary prisoners at Maghaberry Prison are one of the issues raised by people in west Belfast (Matthew Fearn/PA)

It added: “These issues, coupled with the use and alleged abuse of stop and search powers, are fuelling negative attitudes towards the police.”

Several well-regarded community workers, youth workers, political activists and residents for historical, political or personal reasons do not engage directly with the police yet continue to play an instrumental role in promoting community safety and well-being, the report said.

District Commander for Belfast, Chief Superintendent Jonathan Roberts, said: “We recognise that there are concerns outlined in this report.

“Some of these concerns were also raised and discussed with police during the recent NI Policing Board Community Consultation on Policing.

“Budget cuts have resulted in a reduction in police numbers and this has clearly had an impact on community policing in west Belfast. It is not known what the impact of potential further cuts may be.

“However, we respect community feelings, we are listening and we want to work with the community to address any concerns.”

PA