New partnership achieves immediate results

The leader of Douglas Borough Council hopes teaming up with the police will mean more solutions to problems faced by the town.

Unveiled today, the Douglas Community Safety Partnership will see an officer, Inspector Ken Kneale, based at the town hall.

The aim is to tackle issues which can't be addressed by a single organisation, and Councillor David Christian hopes it will make a real difference to the quality of people's lives.

Councillor Christian told Manx Radio the new partnership had already produced results:

"I know the group, with Inspector Ken Kneale at the helm, has already met once, and has actually resolved an issue that had been outstanding for some time.

"It was an area of concern in Central Douglas, something to do with wheelie bins in back lanes blocking access for emergency services vehicles.

"They've come together, between the police, the corporation and the fire service, found a way forward and the problem has been addressed.

"Now that's been a bone of contention for a long time."