Publication date:
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Herron today jointly expressed their concern about the impact of recent public disorder on victims, on police officers and on our wider communities.
The actions of these offenders are unacceptable and we can assure the public that those found to be responsible will be met with the full force of the criminal law. That includes those responsible for malicious attacks on victims, and on police officers subjected to intolerable physical and verbal abuse.
To meet this shared determination, there has been and will continue to be close engagement between our two organisations. Police investigators and prosecutors are ensuring that offences are being investigated, and files submitted to the PPS for prosecution decision, as quickly as possible. A robust, collaborative approach is being taken to ensure that identified offenders will face full consequences for their actions. There should be no doubt for any individual found to have taken part in public disorder, that the consequences are serious.
As well as prosecution for relevant public order offences, we can assure our communities and the police officers who help keep them safe, that where there is evidence of assaults on police or a hate crime motivation, this will be put before the courts as aggravating factors and appropriate sentences pursued.
The violent scenes of recent weeks have endangered lives and property, homes and families. Those responsible, who have spread fear and threatened public safety, will not be tolerated.