Alliance Policing Board member John Blair has welcomed safety equipment being sent from the PSNI to Ukraine to support the humanitarian effort in the war-torn region.

The police will send a surplus of 300 ballistic vests and 50 ballistic helmets to the country after a request from the National Police Coordination Centre to support those engaged in humanitarian activities there.

“I welcome this move, after I pursued it at the last meeting of the Policing Board,” said South Antrim Assembly candidate Mr Blair.

“We have all been sending our best wishes and support to the people of Ukraine over the past weeks, so I am pleased to see this practical help, to supplement clothes and other equipment recently given to the brave people of Ukraine.

“It is vital we continue to show our support for their stance in the face of blatant Russian aggression and I hope this PSNI equipment will give protection to those helping them.”