Updated policing strategy published in Cavan
The newly published three-year Cross Border Policing Strategy (2025-27) looks to build on already established relationships and cross-border operational successes on the island of Ireland to date.
“Working side by side we can do more to tackle criminal networks who seek to exploit the Border region, and deliver on our mission of keeping people safe,” said Commissioner of An Garda Siochána, Drew Harris, speaking at the two-day Cross Border Police Conference at Cavan's Farnham Estate on Monday, December 9.
Appearing alongside Chief Constable of the PSNI, Jon Boutcher, Comm Harris stated the renewed roadmap strengthens the existing commitment towards law enforcement and intelligence-sharing, in the midst of “evolving threats and challenges” posed by a “rapidly changing geo-political and criminal landscape”.
It follows a conference also held in Cavan back in February of this year that dealt with the threat Organised & Serious Crime on both sides of the Border.
The theme of the latest policing get together, which runs until Tuesday afternoon, is ‘Cross Border Policing through Collaboration'.
Topics explored include ‘Victims and the Vulnerable’, ‘Cross Border Incidents’, ‘Partnerships in our Communities’, ‘Road Safety’ and ‘Wellness and Work-Life Balance’.
The revised strategy, meanwhile, has four areas of focus - Tackling Crime and Preventing Harm; Roads Policing and Road Safety; Community Policing; and Major Emergency Management.
Efforts in these areas will be underpinned by joint investment and legislative supports, while each area of interest is to be assigned a lead from within An Garda Síochána and another from the PSNI.
The strategy will also support the continued work of the Joint Agency Task Force, which will be guided by quarterly cross border meetings between the Garda Commissioner and the Chief Constable, and their senior management teams.
In July, a day of action led to the arrest of two males by the PSNI in connection with numerous fraud incidents in Northern Ireland. Meanwhile in simultaneous searches in Co Monaghan, An Garda Síochána recovered a forklift truck stolen from Kildare two months previous.
Another operation in October at Rosslare Europort involving An Garda Síochána, PSNI and Revenue Customs Service, led to the discovery of approximately 30 kilos of cocaine with a market value of almost €2.1 million. The drugs had been concealed in a Mercedes tractor.
Speaking about the launch of the renewed strategy, Chief Constable Boutcher recognised that co-operation between both forces is “vital”.
“Crime and organised criminals do not respect national boundaries and our policing response must be equally flexible and relentless,” he said.
“The level of co-operation between our organisations is already impressive; every day of the week officers and staff of PSNI and An Garda Síochána work together to support victims and target criminals in Border communities and beyond.”