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| 40 police stations face closure | |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| More than 40 police stations across Northern Ireland are expected to be closed over the next two years. | More than 40 police stations across Northern Ireland are expected to be closed over the next two years. |
| Senior police officers said they were wasting millions of pounds on maintaining stations that were no longer used or wanted. | 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. | |
| Unionists are opposed to the move, which, they claim, could make it easier for dissident republicans to operate. | Unionists are opposed to the move, which, they claim, could make it easier for dissident republicans to operate. |
| There are 108 police stations dotted across Northern Ireland, and the police say that is simply too many. | There are 108 police stations dotted across Northern Ireland, and the police say that is simply too many. |
| Sixty-three percent 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. | Sixty-three percent 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 historic reasons for the proliferation of stations in some areas, like counties Fermanagh and Tyrone, as many doubled up as bases for the army and were viewed as vital components of the fight against terrorism. | There are historic reasons for the proliferation of stations in some areas, like counties Fermanagh and Tyrone, as many doubled up as bases for the army and were viewed as vital components of the fight against terrorism. |
| But in recent years, as politics has replaced violence and the IRA has decommissioned its weapons, many of the stations have been mothballed - decaying and overgrown reminders of the past. | But in recent years, as politics has replaced violence and the IRA has decommissioned its weapons, many of the stations have been mothballed - decaying and overgrown reminders of the past. |
| A major review of the police estate was launched four years ago and a number of stations have closed since then. | A major review of the police estate was launched four years ago and a number of stations have closed since then. |
| But the rate of closures is set to accelerate rapidly as the police seek to get rid of buildings which they say are costing millions of pounds in running costs while serving no useful policing purpose. | But the rate of closures is set to accelerate rapidly as the police seek to get rid of buildings which they say are costing millions of pounds in running costs while serving no useful policing purpose. |
| Endorse | Endorse |
| They say the money saved could be used to improve frontline policing, with more officers on the ground, and alternative, smaller facilities. | They say the money saved could be used to improve frontline policing, with more officers on the ground, and alternative, smaller facilities. |
| The chief constable has said on a number of occasions that the threat from dissident republicans in Fermanagh is very high, so it doesn't make sense to us to close these stations Jimmy Spratt DUP | |
| Senior commanders have identified 26 stations that they want to get rid of and they will ask the Policing Board to endorse the plans at a private meeting on Thursday. | Senior commanders have identified 26 stations that they want to get rid of and they will ask the Policing Board to endorse the plans at a private meeting on Thursday. |
| The police say they do not have to get the approval of the board to close the stations because it is an operational matter. | The police say they do not have to get the approval of the board to close the stations because it is an operational matter. |
| However, the board is legally responsible for the buildings and could refuse the request to dispose of them. | However, the board is legally responsible for the buildings and could refuse the request to dispose of them. |
| Unionist members of the board have signalled that they will oppose the plans. | 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 make it easier for dissident republicans to operate. | They argue that the move could make it impossible for the police to respond properly to criminal or terrorist incidents, and make it easier for dissident republicans to operate. |
| The DUP is particularly concerned about Fermanagh, where four of the 26 stations are located. | The DUP is particularly concerned about Fermanagh, where four of the 26 stations are located. |
| Two of the party'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. | Two of the party'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. |
| The party said it accepted that some rationalisation of stations was needed, but closures should not happen until alternative arrangements are in place, and while the dissident threat remains high. | The party said it accepted that some rationalisation of stations was needed, but closures should not happen until alternative arrangements are in place, and while the dissident threat remains high. |
| "The chief constable has said on a number of occasions that the threat from dissident republicans in Fermanagh is very high, so it doesn't make sense to us to close these stations," Jimmy Spratt said. | "The chief constable has said on a number of occasions that the threat from dissident republicans in Fermanagh is very high, so it doesn't make sense to us to close these stations," Jimmy Spratt said. |
| Eventualities | Eventualities |
| "We are very concerned that the police will not have enough cover if that threat increases. | "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." | "We hope that doesn't happen, but the police have to plan for all eventualities and we don't think they are doing that." |
| Many rural police stations have already been closed | |
| The DUP delegation also travelled to Newtownbutler, a vast station that now also lies empty and derelict, with running costs of more than £60,000 annually. | The DUP delegation also travelled to Newtownbutler, a vast station that now also lies empty and derelict, with running costs of more than £60,000 annually. |
| The party argues that the police need to retain a presence there because the station has a helipad, which they say could be needed if the dissident threat grows. | The party argues that the police need to retain a presence there because the station has a helipad, which they say could be needed if the dissident threat grows. |
| Unionists also argue that many members of the public are reassured simply by the presence of a police station in their area. | Unionists also argue that many members of the public are reassured simply by the presence of a police station in their area. |
| But the police have said the stations earmarked for disposal serve no useful purpose and are draining resources. | But the police have said the stations earmarked for disposal serve no useful purpose and are draining resources. |
| They also argue that retaining some of the stations may increase the risk faced by officers by presenting targeting opportunities for dissident republicans as officers have to visit them occasionally to ensure they are secure. | They also argue that retaining some of the stations may increase the risk faced by officers by presenting targeting opportunities for dissident republicans as officers have to visit them occasionally to ensure they are secure. |
| A confidential police paper sent to the board said: "There are absolutely no indications from intelligence or operational perspectives that the retention of Northern Ireland's current pattern of police stations has a bearing on either the terrorist threat, or capability." | A confidential police paper sent to the board said: "There are absolutely no indications from intelligence or operational perspectives that the retention of Northern Ireland's current pattern of police stations has a bearing on either the terrorist threat, or capability." |
| One senior source said: "A moving target is a much harder target than a fixed one. | One senior source said: "A moving target is a much harder target than a fixed one. |
| "These closures would give greater flexibility and mobility and actually make it more difficult for dissidents to operate." | "These closures would give greater flexibility and mobility and actually make it more difficult for dissidents to operate." |
| Sinn Fein agrees with the closure plan. 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". | Sinn Fein agrees with the closure plan. 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". |