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Drumcree Policing Scaled Down
The PSNI have said that Drumcree will see scaled down physical security measures when the annual Drumcree Parade takes place this Sunday. While the Parade's Commission have again banned Orangemen from walking home along the Garvaghy Road (a ban they have imposed every year since 1998), the police point out that the last 2 Drumcree parades passed off peacefully.
"Last year we worked together with the organisers and the community and the result was a peaceful Drumcree. This was a positive outcome for the whole community in Portadown and we are optimistic for this year.
There were great efforts by people in all communities to reduce tension and maintain calm last year. We want to see that happen again and will work with people to achieve that.""Our policing operation will be professional, balanced and proportionate and will have human rights at its very centre."
Chief Superintendent Drew Harris, PSNI
As I said in my Marching Season 2005 roundup I don't take a huge interest in Orange parades, so far be it from me to tell the Chief Superintendent how to do his job, but if I might offer a suggestion, could the policing operation not have policing at it's "very centre" and human rights as an important consideration?