Alliance delegation meets with Hugh Orde

12.15.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 20th Apr 2009

"There are increasing concerns over the polcing budget." - Ford. Photo © 2009 Kilconriola Press

Alliance Leader David Ford MLA today led a party delegation to a meeting with PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde. The main issues discussed at the meeting were the threat posed by dissident republicans and the need to ensure the protection of funding for policing.

David Ford said: "Given the threat posed by dissident republicans, there are increasing concerns over the policing budget. It is essential that police are given the financial backing they need to carry out their challenging work. For example, they need investment in relation to specialised vehicles and IT.

"To protect the peace we hold so dear the police need adequate funding. The best reassurance to the community is the sight of frontline police officers on patrol, and those officers deserve the best of equipment and backup."