To ask the Minister of Justice to detail any immediate measures her Department has put in place to improve the safety of women and girls in East Londonderry, following recent reports of alleged serious sexual offences in Coleraine.

I am very aware of the understandable concern in the local community following recent reports of alleged serious sexual offences in the Coleraine area.

However, I want to be clear that ensuring the safety of women and girls is a priority for both my Department and for the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

I am aware that, operationally, the PSNI keeps local threat, risk and harm under constant review and, where necessary, deploys additional visible policing, targeted patrols and other protective measures in response to emerging concerns. Decisions about such deployments are, quite properly, a matter for the Chief Constable based on the professional assessment of risk and intelligence.

From a Departmental perspective, my officials continue to work closely with the PSNI and with partners across government and the voluntary and community sector to ensure that victims have access to support and protection. This includes ongoing investment in domestic and sexual abuse support services and funding for specialist support organisations.

More broadly, my department along with the Department of Health is delivering the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy 2024–2031, alongside the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategic Framework led by The Executive Office. These frameworks are focused on prevention, protection, justice and support, and on improving both the immediate and long-term response to violence and abuse.

I would strongly encourage anyone who has information about these or any other offences, or who feels unsafe, to contact the PSNI, and I would also encourage victims to seek support from the specialist services that are available to them.