Closure Threat Hangs Over Mid Ulster Police Stations

After decades of being under threat from the IRA, police stations in Mid-Ulster are now facing a more subtle threat: a police review.

Some could even be faced with closure, depending on the outcome of a review which is currently being carried out.

While no decisions have been taken yet, the three 'at risk' stations are rumoured to include Stewartstown, Pomeroy and Coagh.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is currently carrying out a review of its entire estate in F District which includes Cookstown, Fermanagh, Omagh and Dungannon and South Tyrone.

However Chief Superintendent Michael Skuce, the F District Commander said: "In the event of a recommendation to close any of the stations, they are committed to a formal consultation process with the community and public representatives.

"Our aim is to provide the best possible policing service for everyone living in the District. In order to to that we must make the best use of all of the resources available to us - funding, officers, technology and buildings," said Mr Skuce.

He explained that the review is aimed at establishing the best use of all facilities and resources and while the PSNI is committed to investing in a number of new stations - such as in Omagh - and improvements at others, they do recognise that some existing stations are not in the right place, nor do they continue to fulfill the roles they had in the past.

"Where that is the case, commanders may recommend closure from both financial and operational points of view.

"In the event of a recommendation to close any facility, we are committed to a formal consultation process with local communities and their representatives," he added.

"I have written to community and civic leaders outlining the process. These include district councillors, district policing partnerships, community police liaison committees, MPs and MLAs.

"I am sure that they, and others in the community, will wish to make their views known.

"At the end of this review, I believe we will see a major investment in new stations and in improvements in others," he said, noting that no decisions have been taken, but it is inevitable that the need for some stations will be reviewed in light of operational and financial needs.

(BMcC)