Increased Catholic support for PSNI - survey

New figures show that for the first time 50 per cent of Catholics believe the Police Service of Northern Ireland treated all …

New figures show that for the first time 50 per cent of Catholics believe the Police Service of Northern Ireland treated all sections equally.

The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency's Omnibus Survey found three-quarters of all respondents had at least some confidence in the force.

But it was the replies from Catholics that heartened police chiefs the most, with faith in the PSNI delivering a day-to-day service rising from 68 per cent to 70 per cent.

Chief Constable Mr Hugh Orde said: "The findings reflect how effective we are becoming at a local level with police officers working successfully with the community".

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Less than a quarter (23 per cent) of the 1,240 people randomly sampled during April and May said they had little or no confidence in police ability - down from 25 per cent last September. Protestant backing for the PSNI also rose, from 79 per cent to 81 per cent.

PA