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Board to hear police closure plan Board backs police closure plan
(about 13 hours later)
Proposals to sell off 26 police stations in Northern Ireland are to be put to the Policing Board later. The Policing Board has approved proposals to sell off 26 police stations in Northern Ireland.
Unionists are opposed to the move, claiming it could make it easier for dissident republicans to operate. Sinn Fein agrees with the closure plan. DUP and Ulster Unionist members of the board opposed 20 out of 26 closures, but were out-voted by other members.
The police say they do not have to get the board's approval because it is an operational matter. Afterwards, the two parties took the unusual step of holding a joint news conference. They accused the police of arrogance and said it was a mistake.
However, the board is legally responsible for the buildings and could refuse the request to dispose of them. But Sinn Fein and the SDLP welcomed the move, saying it would free up resources for frontline policing services.
Board chairman Barry Gilligan said: "Scarce resources is a reality of the financial world we live in right across the public sector. It took the Policing Board almost four hours to reach the decision, after what were described as "hot and heavy exchanges".
"We've got to ensure the resources we have are used as effectively and as efficiently as possible and that's the challenge. The PSNI is to report back to the board in September on how the money raised will be reinvested.
"It goes to the heart of what this board is about - we're charged with making sure the police service deliver an effective and efficient police service." Policing Board chairman Barry Gilligan said the PSNI had been "left in no doubt about the strength of feeling in respect of service delivery and building confidence in communities where there are particular concerns".
Disposing of police stations is seen as a withdrawal of policing Basil McCreaUlster Unionist Party 40 police stations face closure Police stations set to close
"The stations that have been agreed for disposal are not needed operationally. In the majority of cases before the board today, the stations have been closed for some period of time," he said.
"The ongoing cost of maintenance and upkeep of stations not operationally required is simply not justifiable in the current economic climate and in light of funding pressures facing policing."
Mr Gilligan said the board had to ensure value for money and ensure the best use of resources.
In a statement, the DUP said the decision would "allow frontline policing to be a casualty of budgetary shortfalls".
"We strongly believe that the PSNI failed to be in a position from which to demonstrate more clearly, detailed, suitable and appropriate proposals for policing these areas affected by the closures," the party said.
Politicians should not try to whip up fears on this issue Declan O'LoanSDLP
Ulster Unionist Policing Board member Basil McCrea said there had been "a lack of effective communication and a distinct lack of viable alternatives on offer" from the PSNI.
"The police need to recognise that there are serious reservations in certain sections of the community - disposing of police stations is seen as a withdrawal of policing," he said.
SDLP Policing Board member Declan O'Loan said what was important was the quality of the policing service rather than its buildings.
"Politicians should not try to whip up fears on this issue," he said.
The Alliance Party's justice spokesman, Stephen Farry, said unionists had "played politics" with the decision.
"The overly large police estate acts a major distortion in the application of resources. A station is a base of operation, which can easily tie up resources - it in itself does not provide security," he said.
There are 108 police stations across Northern Ireland, a figure which the police say is too high.There are 108 police stations across Northern Ireland, a figure which the police say is too high.
Sixty-three percent only open on a part-time basis while at least 20 are regarded as effectively closed because they have not been used operationally for a number of years. Sixty-three per cent only open on a part-time basis while at least 20 are regarded as effectively closed because they have not been used operationally for several years.
class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8182622.stm">40 police stations face closure class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8182624.stm">Police stations which may close A major review of the police estate was launched four years ago.
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.
They say the money saved could be used to improve frontline policing, with more officers on the ground, and alternative, smaller facilities.
Unionist members of the Policing 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.
The DUP is particularly concerned about Fermanagh, where four of the 26 stations are located.
Sinn Fein Policing Board member Alex Maskey said many stations on the list were unwanted legacies of the past that "had become blots on the landscape".