Security forces homes comprise half of threats scheme buy-ups

HOMES belonging to members of the security forces make up almost half of all purchases through an initiative or rehousing intimidated people.

Under the Scheme for the Purchase of Evacuated Dwellings (SPED) the Housing Executive can buy properties if the PSNI says it is not safe for a member of the household to stay there.

Figures released to the Belfast Telegraph after a Freedom of Information request show there were 195 purchases between April 2007 and August of this year, at a cost of £33,153,063. Of these, 94 were purchased from members of the security forces — PSNI, Prison Service, military, and certain personnel from the Department of Justice — costing £19,694,450.

In recent years there has been a significant drop in the number of properties bought, but Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie (below) said even one family forced to leave home is too many.

Between April 2007 and March 2012, 131 properties were bought, compared to 57 between April 2012 and March 2017. In the period 2007 to 2012 there were 63 security forces purchases, compared to 27 between 2012 and 2017.

Police Federation chair Mark Lindsay said the upheaval of moving is unacceptable. “Whatever the reason for the small decrease, the fact remains that this type of drastic measure shouldn’t be happening. Officers are removed from their homes and families uprooted because there are terrorists who want to kill them. The upheaval is shocking and unacceptable.

“Unfortunately, there is still an undeniable need for the SPED scheme, and for as long as there are attacks or threats to the lives of officers, this scheme will be essential to maintain.”

The PSNI said: “The current threat against police officers in Northern Ireland remains severe. Our job is to keep communities and the officers who serve them safe and we are taking every reasonable step to do so. The SPED scheme has worked well for our organisation over a number of years and supports officers during what can be a very traumatic process.”

Mr Beattie said: “It is an unfortunate fact that we need to have a SPED scheme to help people who have to move house while under threat. I do welcome the fact that the figures show that the numbers of security force personnel affected is reducing, but even one family — as was the case in both 2014/2015 and 2015/16 — is one too many.”