Police to sell off Maghera station

The PSNI has today named Maghera police station as one of 12 it intends to dispose of as part of a money saving exercise 'in light of continuing budget reductions'.
12 police stations to close12 police stations to close
12 police stations to close

Police have been cutting public services at the station since 2010 when ‘limited opening’ was introduced.

Then in 2014 it announced that the public enquiry office at the station would be closed, while opening hours were cut at Magherafelt.

But following the force’s biggest shake-up to date, they have announced that they intend to ‘dispose of’ 12 of the organisation’s 59 police stations.

They include Maghera, Aughnacloy, Willowfield and York Road in Belfast, Ballyclare, Ballynahinch, Castlederg, Cushendall, Moira, Portaferry, Tandragee and Warrenpoint.

But on the same note, it was also announced that Cookstown, Armagh and Ballymena are to get new police stations in the PSNI’s progression towards a ‘fit for purpose’ estate. A review of that estate was carried out last year as a result of the restructure within policing.

They said it showed that the 12 stations earmarked for closure are no longer needed to carry out daily business.

Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin said: “We are aware the permanent closure of stations is an emotive issue and can have an effect on community confidence.

“I’d like to reassure the public that these 12 stations are no longer being used by police operationally and formally disposing of them will save money, such as bills incurred from utility services.

“Times have changed, and due to advancements in modern technology as well as continuing budgetary restraints, the Police Service continues to look at new ways of providing the most effective service to the public in the most cost efficient way.”