The new PSNI District Commander for Fermanagh and Omagh said it is an “absolute honour and privilege” to be appointed District Commander and he hopes to carry on the work that was undertaken by his predecessors.

A police officer for 32 years, Mervyn Seffen took over the role in March of this year, moving from Mid Ulster where he was Chief Inspector for five years.

Priorities

Speaking last Thursday during a visit by Chief Constable Simon Byrne to Enniskillen, Superintendent Seffen said the priorities for his time in Fermanagh and Omagh are the ones set by the local community.

“That is around providing visibility to them, reassurance and dealing with the antisocial behaviour and the crimes that’s affecting them in their daily business and the day-in and day-out things.

“Because it is that low-level, constant crime that impacts on people the most. And that’s probably what I’m hearing most when I’m in the community.”

Community policing

A focus on community policing will be high on the list for Superintendent Seffen, and he believes the Neighbourhood Policing Teams in place are a great benefit to the community.

“They’re engaged with the community, then with our local policing and community partnership, other partners and delivering local solutions.

“They are dealing with a range of stuff, and using all the different agencies to deliver effective solutions for the community in there.

“So they’re getting real, positive feedback, and I think it’s been a real success.”

Similarities

Superintendent Seffen also believes coming from Mid Ulster will stand him in good stead for Fermanagh and Omagh: “I do think that Mid Ulster and Fermanagh and Omagh are very similar indeed, with that same sort of geographical spread, the same sort of issues.

“And I think that’s been a really good grounding for me, coming here, and it’s made that transition across to command here a lot smoother.”