21/03/2017

PFNI Hits Out Over Planned Closures Of Enquiry Offices

The Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) has hit out over the planned closures of local enquiry offices and reduced opening hours.

Chairman of the PFNI, Mark Lindsay, said it is "the first inevitable step on the road to implementing further cuts which will fundamentally change the way policing is delivered in Northern Ireland".

He said: "We've seen Neighbourhood Policing devastated by a series of draconian budget cuts and this is one further step on that road. As budgets continue to be slashed, there will be radical decisions taken by the PSNI which will force communities to think differently about the role of the PSNI and how they interact with the public.

"This latest development has the potential to restrict access to Police Officers which will reduce levels of engagement. The danger is we will become a more remote Service, unable to provide required levels of visibility and reassurance to people in need.

"Inevitably, there will be further cuts as the Service deals with the loss of up to £20 million in its budget. That will impact adversely across the board."

(CD/MH)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

04 July 2023
Potholes Must Be Repaired To A Satisfactory Standard - Alliance
Belfast City Council is to write to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) after complaints from residents in relation to pothole repairs. Alliance Lisnasharragh Councillor Michael Long has questioned the standard of repairs to potholes following multiple attempts being made to the same pothole.
05 June 2023
Sinn Fein Hits Out Over Proposed Budget Cuts For Special Educational Needs
Sinn Féin has hot out over the proposed budget cuts for Special Educational Needs support. MLA Pat Sheehan said it is "deeply concerning" that funding for schools in NI is to be slashed in half. He said: "Children with special educational needs require the highest level of support in our schools to ensure they have the best start in life.
24 March 2023
Reval2023: New Property Valuation List Published
The latest valuation list for non-domestic properties, which will be used to calculate business rate bills that will be issued from the start of April 2023, has been announced by the Land & Property Services.
04 March 2019
ScamwiseNI & Post Office Collaborate On Scam Protection Initiative
A collaboration between ScamwiseNI and the Post Office has launched today, Monday 04 March, to give consumers an opportunity to discuss any concerns they have about falling victim to a scam.
02 September 2014
Royal Mail Announces Delivery Offices' Sunday Opening
Royal Mail customers in L'Derry and Belfast will be able to collect parcels from delivery offices on Sunday, as part of a pilot scheme being introduced this week.