Ford attends North South Criminology Conference

5.03.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 18th Jun 2010

Justice Minister David Ford

Justice Minister David Ford today highlighted the importance of strengthening cross border co-operation on a range of criminal justice issues.

Addressing delegates at today's sixth North South Criminology Conference in Belfast David Ford outlined the close co-operation and working relationship that already exists between the two governments.

Mr Ford said: "There is already extensive co-operation with respective criminal justice organisations on both sides of the border in tackling a broad range of issues including the threat from dissidents, developing strategies on youth justice, support for victims and public protection arrangements for the management of sex offenders.

"This conference provides an excellent opportunity for academics, post-graduate researchers, practitioners and policy makers in the fields of criminology and criminal justice to come together to exchange ideas and disseminate research.

"There is much that can be learned from each other and I am pleased to see attendees from across the island of Ireland and further afield bringing their knowledge and expertise together."