Increased nationalist support for the police in Derry is boosting the battle against dissident republicans.
Trust in the PSNI is growing in traditional republican hotbeds such as Creggan, the Bogside and Brandywell areas, according to the city's police chief.
Foyle Area Commander Chris Yates has told the 'Journal' that the strengthening relationship bet
ween the police and the local community will help stamp out the threat from dissident republican paramilitary groups and their criminal enterprises.
"Gaining trust is what community policing is all about and that helps marginalise these groups and let them know that there isn't widespread support for them," he said.
He added that the response to community policing teams in Derry's republican areas has been "increasingly positive".
Assistant Chief Constable Judith Gillespie added that the police would not be deterred from their community beats, despite several attempts on officers' lives in recent times - including the shooting of Bogside native Constable Jim Doherty last November.
"Just a couple of days after the officer was shot we had officers back on cycle and foot patrol in the city centre - that is evidence of our determination not to let dissident republican activity knock us back in any way in policing the community. The more we are out on patrol and accessible to the public - just saying hello to people - the more likely we are to instill confidence in people."
Award
Chief Superintendent Yates and Assistant Chief Constable Judith Gillespie made their comments after the community policing team for Creggan, Rosemount, Ballymagroarty and Hazelbank was awarded the gong for community policing team of the year.
