McCrea Condemns PSNI Handling Of Estate Strategy

Following recent talks between the PSNI and the Northern Ireland Policing Board Ulster Unionist MLA and Policing Board member Basil McCrea has responded angrily to how the PSNI have handled discussions regarding the potential closure of police stations.

Mr. McCrea said, "We were to have a forecast meeting on the 15^th January which was to deal with the rationalization of the police estate. Unfortunately, the Northern Ireland Policing Board had to cancel that meeting because the PSNI did not provide either satisfactory detail on the potential closures or the necessary reassurance that our communities will continue to be protected and policed.

"We simply can't close police stations without bringing forward alternative policing arrangements. People feel vulnerable, particularly in light of the recent spate of attacks against the elderly in their homes. The PSNI need to bolster community confidence. To do this, they need to specifically outline how the communities will be policed and how improvements will be made to existing policing practices.

"I am disappointed that some members of the Policing Board do not appreciate how vital it is that we ensure that our communities are adequately policed and feel adequately policed, especially at a time when we are witnessing the escalation of dissident Republican attacks.

"It is against this backdrop that the decision to close the police station at Dromara and the unprofessional way in which the decision was communicated raises fears amongst the Ulster Unionist representatives on the Policing Board that the PSNI will move ahead with decisions without the support, oversight and authorization of the Policing Board.

"The next meeting to deal with the potential closures will take later this month. I await the guarantees the PSNI will bring forward and hope that this issue can be successfully resolved."