Dissent Over Police Station Closures

More than 40 police stations across Northern Ireland are likely be closed over the next two years.

Politicans and commentators are at loggerheads on the cost-cutting proposals with Sinn Féin in favour of the closures while unionists are opposed to the move.

NI Policing Board Member Alex Maskey said many of the stations on the list were unwanted legacies of the past that "had become blots on the landscape".

The Sinn Féin MLA claimed that senior police officers said they were wasting millions of pounds on maintaining stations that were no longer used or wanted.

They are to ask the Policing Board on Thursday to agree to sell off 26 stations, with more to follow.

Already, some 63% of stations only open on a part-time basis and at least 20 are regarded as effectively closed because they have not been used operationally for a number of years.

There are 108 police stations dotted across Northern Ireland, and the police say that is simply too many with a major review of the police estate launched four years ago. Several stations have closed since then, but the rate of closures is set to accelerate

Senior commanders have identified 26 stations that they want to get rid of and they will ask the NI Policing Board to endorse the plans at a private meeting on Thursday.

Unionist members of the board have signalled that they will oppose the plans.

They argue that the move could make it impossible for the police to respond properly to criminal or terrorist incidents, and the DUP is particularly concerned about Fermanagh, where four of the 26 stations are located.

As disclosed on www.4ni.co.uk last year, there have been shut-downs in Co Fermanagh for some time, with ongoing concerns among politicians.

Two of the DUP's policing board members, Jimmy Spratt and Peter Weir, last week led a delegation on a tour of stations in Kesh, Belleek, Belcoo and Newtownbutler.

"We are very concerned that the police will not have enough cover if that threat increases.

"We hope that doesn't happen, but the police have to plan for all eventualities and we don't think they are doing that," said Mr Spratt.

Also, last November, www.4ni.co.uk reflected major concerns over the future of a Co Antrim police station.

The local police inspector responsible for Glengormley, in announcing vastly reduced opening hours, insisted that there weren't any plans to close Glengormley completely - but with the latest news - that remains to be seen.

Inspector Martin Ruddy said at the time: "In a hypothetical situation, any such closure - if mooted - would have to go to consultation and would take around a year to come into effect.

"There are currently no such plans," he said.

See: Opening Hours To Be Slashed At Glengormley Barracks

See: More Police Stations Closures On The Way

(BMcC/KMcA)