CCTV appeal for rural areas

And the UUP Assemblyman says “she can start with Connor village in my native constituency”.

Mr Swann issued his challenge to Minister Sudgen last week as he expressed his “serious concern” about anti-social activity in Connor.

He said: “Local residents approached me following an incident in which a lorry was burnt out in the village during the early hours of last Friday morning, May 20.

“My office has approached the Mid and East Antrim Council regarding the possibility of locating a number of mobile CCTV cameras in the region. These issues within our community demand action rather than simple condemnation and photo opportunities.

“In this respect, I am calling on Minister Sudgen to move the issue of combating rural crime and anti-social behaviour to the top of her priority list,” said Assemblyman Swann.

He added: “We need positive action on this issue, not empty rhetoric.

“Our rural communities must be seen as safe havens for residents, otherwise a situation may arise where because the anti-social behaviour challenge is not stamped out families may move from those rural areas,” Mr Swann said.