Public to get their say on future of Dunmurry police station

This meeting will also be attended by District Commander, Chief Superintendent Henry Irvine and Area Commander, Chief Inspector Darrin Jones.

The Chairperson of the DPP, Councillor Margaret Tolerton, urged local people to attend. “The police station in Dunmurry is very important to the local people and is vital for the effective delivery of community policing” Mrs Tolerton said.

“I am totally opposed to any proposed closure of this station and need the support of the local community to emphasise this to the District Commander. If Dunmurry police station closes, the local Neighbourhood Policing Team will be moved to Lisburn and we need to prevent this from happening.”

Mrs Tolerton continued: “Policing in Dunmurry is an example of best practice across Northern Ireland evidenced by the co-operation that exists between the community and the Neighbourhood Policing Team. Dunmurry police station is essential to confidence in policing in this sensitive interface area. The progress that has been made over the last number of years was truly unforeseen and I would consider that if a decision is made to close this station an associated decrease in community co-operation and confidence will follow.

“I understand that almost 20% of the crime across the Lisburn area is committed in the Dunmurry sector and it would appear nonsensical to remove a policing base from this area. If the station closes, there would be a perception of the policing service being eroded, which I consider would happen if the personnel are moved to Lisburn.”

Mrs Tolerton concluded: “We have an excellent Neighbourhood policing team in Dunmurry which covers the village area, Colin and the surrounding rural area of Drumbeg. Local police need to be based in the community so they are accessible. This is about much more than bricks and mortar. The station also provides a secure location for meetings with the local police and the community.“

At the public meeting the District Commander will present his findings on the consultation he has carried out to date and those in attendance will be able to ask questions relating to the station review.

If you have any views on this issue which you would like to raise with the DPP prior to the public meeting, you can get in contact with the DPP Manager on 9250 9279, write to the Lisburn DPP at Lisburn City Council, Island Civic Centre, 1 The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL or email [email protected].