More Police Stations Closures On The Way

On top of news that police stations in Fermanagh may soon close - with border police stations at Kesh, Belleek, Newtownbutler, Belcoo and in Enniskillen earmarked for possible closure - as well as stations in the Foyle, Limavady, Strabane and Magherafelt areas also facing the axe, the Police Service of Northern Ireland now plans to close three rural police stations in Co Tyrone too.

The police now want to close stations in Pomeroy, Coagh and Stewartstown - but said they would consult with locals first.

District Commander Chief Superintendent Michael Skuce said the move should be seen in the context of the constraints on the policing budget.

He said he wanted more officers out on the streets rather than behind desks.

Last month proposals to cut the number of stations in the whole of Co Fermanagh from seven to three were put out for consultation and this month already, Londonderry's Strand Road station and the facilities at Eglington, Waterside, Claudy, Limavady, Dungiven, Strabane, Donemana, Castlederg, Newtownstewart, Magherafelt, Maghera, and Bellaghy have all been put out for "consultation".

Now, these latest schemes propose cuts in the Dungannon and Omagh areas of Tyrone as well.

The police have said that out of the three stations at risk, Pomeroy station was currently closed to the public anyway, while Coagh was only open to them only by appointment.

"My view is that Neighbourhood Police Team officers based on Cookstown can maintain these functions," Mr Skuce said.

"I believe the needs of the rural community can better be served by a greater flexibility of my officers and I want to see them out and about in the area, rather than being tied to police stations that, in any event, are no longer suitable for the purpose for which they were built."

Mr Skuce said he was exploring alternative methods of delivering policing and the use of a mobile police station was delivering accessible policing in many parts of County Fermanagh and could do so in the Cookstown area.

He insisted the PSNI remained committed to maintaining a service for all in the area.

The top cop said he wanted to have a constructive debate with the people of the Cookstown area and a consultation period would run until mid-July.

See: Foyle And Mid Ulster PSNI Stations To Close?

(BMcC)