PSNI to close Maghera enquiry office and reduce hours at Magherafelt

And opening hours at the enquiry office in Magherafelt station will also be reduced to 12 hours in line with other stations in the Province.

In other cost cutting changes the four Neighbourhood police teams in Magherafelt and Limavady have been amalgamated into two.

At present, the enquiry office in Maghera is limited to just three hours a week on a Tuesday to enable local people to call with driving documents and make statements.

Chief Inspector Hutton said the station would remain available as a base for police operations.

“We have found that the station has very few callers during its current opening hours. In view of the severe financial pressure that the Police Service is currently facing, staffing the enquiry office even for this limited period is no longer sustainable,” he said

“The move will also free up neighbourhood officers to spend more time on patrol. We remain committed to community policing in Magherafelt and throughout G District.

“Neighbourhood officers will continue to fulfil engagements in the area. These include the successful contacts that have been established with community groups and our regular crime prevention initiatives, such as trailer marking.”