COUNCILLOR CALLS DROMARA STATION CLOSURE 'APPALLING'
THE way the closure of Dromara Police Station was handled has been described as "appalling".
Speaking at Lisburn City Council's monthly meeting Councillor Jonathan Craig MLA said he is concerned at the way the closure has been dealt with.
The decision to close the station was taken on January 15 and the station was closed on January 20, before members of the District Policing Partnerships were informed later that evening. The move led DPP Chairman, Alderman Jim Dillon to question the point of the District Policing Partnership.
Commenting on the situation Mr Craig said; "It is appalling the way District Commander Henry Ervine has treated the DPP and whole council area in closing it. I am concerned with the way this matter has been dealt with."
Alderman Dillon said that he thought the Council had been treated "abominably" and said that he had already written to the Chairman of the Policing Board and Chief Constable to express his concerns.
Alderman Edwin Poots urged member of the need to be "careful" on this subject. He commented: "The Dromara closure was only one of the first of Police station closures. "We need to be alert and make sure the same thing doesn't happen in other areas."
Councillor Basil McCrea MLA, a member of the Policing Board, said that at a recent meeting where the Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde was present, he expressed a "robust position" by the board regarding the issue.
In a transcript of the meeting of the Policing Board Mr McCrea addressing the Chief Constable said; "I have to say, and I think I speak for the majority of the Board, that we are extremely disappointed in the way that this issue has been handled.
"Whilst we understand that you do have to look at all financial issues, we have made it quite clear to you that it is not acceptable to close any police stations unless the community have been involved in acceptable alternative policing arrangements."
Replying to Mr McCrea's remarks Sir Hugh said; "Now, either I put large meaningful significant sums of money into redundant buildings or I spend it on protecting people. I know where I want to go and I want to go there with the Board because I think that is extremely important, and I understand your frustration and my frustration. In an ideal world we would not be shutting these places quite frankly, but we have some very hard choices to make."
Taking on board the comments made by members of the Council Mr Craig proposed that a delegation from the Council request a meeting with the Chairman of the Policing Board. He said; "It is not good enough for Lisburn to be treated with total contempt. We must get this sorted out at the highest level."
Alderman Paul Porter seconded the motion which was agreed .
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Weather for Belfast
Wednesday 15 February 2012
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