Axe may fall on local police stations

The affected stations are:-Broughshane, Cloughmills and Portglenone.

The PSNI have stated that the main reason for the closures is that the stations are only operating on a part time basis at present. 35 local stations across Northern Ireland have so far been included in the recommendations for closure.S

Newly appointed Policing Board member and North Antrim MLA David McIlveen warned that the closure of these stations will see the end of a vital link between the community and policing in these areas.

He said: “I am absolutely outraged to hear this news. Community police and police stations provide a vital link between the Police Service and our local communities.

“I personally feel that the local police station is a hub for community policing and this link to the local people has now been taken away.

“This is particularly worrying in this area as we currently have a situation where in addition to the main Ballymena station we only have Broughshane to the East and Portglenone to the West.

“Today’s announcement is a real blow to community policing in this area and effectively translates into a removal of rural police presence. We have heard much recently regarding rural theft, fuel laundering and fuel smuggling. I do not see how removing police stations will aid the fight against rural crime.

“These police stations are not simply empty buildings. A police station represents a permanent police presence in that area. The significance of this presence gains greater credence when the public’s fear of crime, especially rural crime is extremely high. This is ultimately an issue of community confidence which I hope to work to maintain. I have been recently appointed to the Policing Board and I plan to use this position to fight all the way against these planned closures in this area.

“Aside from the community engagement these stations offer, the Chief Constable last week warned about the continuing threat from dissident republicans. This is not a time to be looking at closing police stations. It is a time for the PSNI to retain local presence to ensure that these communities continue to remain vigilant against this threat.”

Cllr Paul Frew MLA said: “This would be a complete disaster for the Ballymena Borough and would effectively mean the withdrawal of police from rural Ballymena. We have already taken hits in this regard, as Cullybackey and Kells Police Stations were closed and Rural Neighbourhood Police Officers have been withdrawn.

“We are already down to the bare bones and I believe that the Police Service being provided at present to the rural areas of Ballymena is inadequate and needs to be addressed urgently.

“Closing Police Stations will not help, it will only make it an even poorer service.”

North Antrim MP Ian Paisely argued: “The proposals in front of the policing board to close a number of rural stations in North Antrim amount to nothing short than a retreat from rural Ulster by the PSNI. Can you imagine how exposed rural dwellers will now be to the transient criminal who already prowls parts of rural Ulster stealing tens of thousands of pounds worth of farm and plant machinery.

“I will be urging the police to look again at this proposal given its consequences. The stations on the list include some of the best examples of community and village police operations that only a few years ago the police were pleased to advertise as showcase work. To now close them is nothing short of a retreat from providing a vital police service no matter how they chose to dress this up!

“The DUP as a party have vociferously condemned this news and will work hard to ensure communities are not adversely affected by any potential closures.”