PSNI chief criticises Stormont for 'missed opportunity'

Northern Ireland's most senior police officer has said Stormont has "missed an opportunity" to provide firm commitments on funding and officer numbers.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said the Northern Ireland Executive's programme for government (PfG) does not "properly reflect" a crisis at the PSNI.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief told a policing board meeting in Belfast that he is seeking the finance to boost officer numbers to 7,000 by 2028. The PSNI currently has a record low of 6,300 officers.

The PfG said the executive will help develop a business case to fund recruitment and "seek to achieve" a sufficient number of officers.

Mr Boutcher felt the document lacks "explicit" commitments.

"I would welcome clear statements from ministers outlining support for the recovery plan in terms of both numbers and funding," he added.

"It is my belief that there is a cross-party political acceptance that the police service has been severely underfunded and allowed to shrink to unacceptably low numbers.

"However, actions speak louder than words.

"That is why it is disappointing the executive have missed this opportunity to provide clarity and to strengthen its commitment to properly resourcing this organisation.

"Please be in no doubt how serious this really is."

The chief constable added there is a "significant risk" of the PSNI failing victims, local communities and its workforce.

He added: "We are very far from the Executive commitment of New Decade New Approach (in 2020) to 7,500 officers.

"I do worry it will take some catastrophic event to wake everybody up to the reality of our policing numbers."

Speaking at the same meeting, Mr Boutcher said the PSNI is currently liaising with the Metropolitan Police over the case of sex offender Zhenhao Zou.

The 28-year-old has been convicted of drugging and raping 10 women in London and China and it is feared there could be many other victims.

He was a student at Queen's University Belfast between 2017 and 2019.

Mr Boutcher said "thus far" there is no evidence of any offending having taken place in Northern Ireland.

"However, the fact we have now got the publicity is an opportunity to appeal for anybody to come forward who may have any concerns around what he may have done.

"The issue is that many of the victims do not know they are victims."