Lisburn police station to close for routine business at night

LISBURN police station is to close during the night for routine inquiries – but the PSNI insists it will still be open to deal with emergencies and the change will not mean any reduction in service to the public.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Feb 2010, 14:30 BST
Updated 11th Feb 2010, 14:31 BST

District Commander Chief Superintendent Henry Irvine confirmed this week the city's station – along with those in Antrim, Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus – would move to reduced hours from April 1st.

He said the aim was to maximise resources and to get more officers back on the streets to respond to calls from members of the public.

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"Members of the public constantly tell us that they want more police officers back on the beat to respond to the crimes that matter to them the most - anti-social behaviour, burglaries, car crime etc." he said.

"This is about ensuring that we have the right people, in the right places, at the right time. It will not mean a reduction in service, people can still report crime and incidents via 999, the non-emergency number 0845 600 8000, or go to the stations in an emergency."

The changes will mean that between 11pm and 8am the general enquiry office will no longer be open. However, police said they will continue to respond and assist anyone coming to the station in an emergency.

They said the station has 24 hour security personnel on duty who will make sure the public get 'quick and professional assistance' in an emergency.

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In a statement the PSNI said research had shown that in October 2009 the number of telephone calls to the Lisburn enquiry office between 11pm and 8am averaged out at less than one per night.

And similar research on the number of visitors in April 2009 showed 16 callers a week to Lisburn even though it is one of the two custody stations for D District and the visitors included solicitors.

Both months were chosen as being historically busy.

Chief Superintendent Irvine added: "I met with DPP representatives back in September to brief them on a number of proposals, including the reduction in station opening hours. Following a review carried out, the decision was taken in the interests of the whole community," he said.

The PSNI statement said the changes will bring D District in line with other parts of Northern Ireland and the UK.

Related topics:PSNILisburnCarrickfergusNewtownabbeyAntrimNorthern Ireland