TUV warns PSNI of 'dangerously low support' for PSNI after officer takes almost a month to return calls on Orange Hall hate crime

Two windows were smashed between 11am and 6pm on 7 August, which also caused damage to the newly renovated interior.

However, according to the lodge, repeated messages left for the investigating officer were not returned for almost a month afterwards.

Police are treating the attack as a hate crime.

According to the TUV, police called out to inspect the damage on 7 August but did not return any phone calls until TUV leader Jim Allister got involved almost four weeks later.

On 31 August he wrote an email to the local district commander.

"I am advised that members of the lodge who own the hall have attempted to contact the officer in charge of the case to get an update on a number of occasions but none of the calls were answered or returned," Mr Allister said.

He added: "I would urge you to touch base with the members of the lodge to update them on progress on the case. Support for the PSNI is already dangerously low in the Unionist community and failure to treat cases such as this seriously is doing nothing to help the situation."

The day after the email, the TUV said the investigating officer called the lodge and assured them they would make an appeal for information on social media .

However, the party said this was not done until 14 September, some two weeks later.

The News Letter invited the PSNI to comment on the claim that police did not return calls for almost a month.

A PSNI spokesman responded: "The investigating officer has updated the reporting person and an appeal for information will be issued on social media in due course."

Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact Lurgan 101, quoting ref 1518 07/08/23, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.