PSNI station to no longer have office

Jonathan Craig, Policing Board member has described the removal of limited enquiry office opening hours at Moira police station, which will come into effect from September 30 ‘disgraceful.’

Lisburn Area Commander Chief Inspector, Darrin Jones said the decision was made following a recent footfall analysis which showed that there were zero visitors to the Moira enquiry office.

He emphasised that the move will not mean any reduction in police numbers and Hillsborough and Moira Neighbourhood Policing Teams will continue to operate from the station.

However, Mr Craig said that the move is just short of closing the police station down.

“This is just madness to do this,” he said. “This is a public facility and it should be accessed by the public. The move is both regrettable and wrong. They should remember who is paying their wages. That would be OK if Lisburn was open 24 seven but it is not. Where are people going to go now if they need a police officer? I think the public perception will be that if the office is not open to the public Moira police station is effectively closed.”

Mr Jones however said, “All of the police officers both Response and Neighbourhood, are now equipped with Blackberry mobile devices that allow members of the public to contact individual officers directly, at any time while on duty.

“This decision is about delivering the best service we have with the best resources.”