Empty police station costs 'alarming'

Figures released by the police under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that Dungiven, Eglinton, Claudy and Donemana PSNI stations cost a total of 114,489.07 to run.

And, former Policing Board member, William Hay MLA has said that people will be "alarmed" at the amount of money involved, particularly with relation to Claudy and Donemana stations, which are no longer operating.

Mr Hay commented that the situation should be now regarded as urgent because of the current stringent economic climate and stressed that potential solutions to the situation needed to be explored as soon as possible. This, he said, included the possible sale of the premises on the open market.

"It is not value for money if it is costing large amounts of money for empty and part-time police stations. In my days as a member of the Policing Board, this is something we looked at time and again.

"This is a serious issue which needs to be looked at, especially in a time of recession. I think the whole state of policing across the country raises questions that need to be addressed. It will be very alarming for people to hear the amount of money it is costing to maintain unused stations. It needs to be looked at and resolved because people will have the impression that when a police station is closed it is not costing any money," he said.

The sale of portions of the PSNI estate on the open market in G District is not without precedent. The former PSNI station in the Rosemount area of Londonderry sold for approximately 250,000.

The PSNI's main website states that Dungiven station is open on 'Tuesday's from 2-4pm and that times are subject to change.' Whilst it also reveals that Eglinton station is open at '11am or from 5-7pm when neighbourhood policing teams are on duty.'

Running expenses for each of the four stations in the G District Command Area are broken down into four relevant headings: Reactive and PPM (maintenance), Electricity, Oil, Water and Rates.

Costs for Dungiven PSNI Station, which provides a part-time service, broke down in the following way - Reactive and PPM: 15,309.59, Electricity: 7,999.78, Oil:2,578.86, Water:810 and Rates: 47,450.97. The final tally for Dungiven came to 74,149.20.

Operational costs for Eglinton PSNI Station which also has a limited opening period incurred a total of 19,852.35 which broke down in the following way. Reactive and PPM: 10,887.27, Electricity: 5,476.25, Oil: 1,407.84, Water: 286.52 and Rates: 1,893.35.

This means the total cost for operating two stations on a part-time basis cost 94,001.55. The total overall cost for maintaining Claudy and Donemana stations, which closed in August 2009 ran to 20,487.52.

Claudy’s costs broke down as follows - Reactive and PPM: 4,123.11, Electricity: 3,160.35, Water: 122.29 and Rates: 1,025.54.

Donemana’s costs were as follows-Reactive and PPM: 7,821.70, Electricity: 2,806.35, Oil: 174.45, Water: 139.08 and Rates: 1,114.65.

However, a spokeswoman for the PSNI confirmed that both Claudy and Donemana stations are “currently going through the disposal process.”

A spokeswoman for the PSNI said: “As a publicly funded organisation, the PSNI has a responsibility to ensure that all of our resources-officers, staff, equipment and buildings-are used in the best and most effective way to support frontline policing.

“The Police Service developed an estate strategy in 2005 to cover the period to 2010 and this was endorsed by the Policing Board.The strategy is a balance of investment in new-builds, of refurbishments and a review of existing stations. This review is on the basis of the operational need of commanders in Districts, the condition of buildings and the cost of running these buildings. The final decision on the disposal of any police station is made by the Northern Ireland Policing Board. What is important to remember is that the savings released from the running and maintenance costs.”