PSNI station closures 'unacceptable'
THE number of police officers on patrol in Fermanagh is at an embarrassing level, according to an elected representative.
DUP MLA Arlene Foster made the claim in reaction to the confirmation that four police stations in the lakeland county have been recommended for closure.
The shutting down of the buildings, dependent on approval by the Northern Ireland Policing Board, would leave only three operational stations in the county.
A detailed consultation process has been carried out in recent months over the proposed closure of the PSNI facilities at Kesh, Newtownbutler, Belcoo and Belleek.
There has been a high level of opposition from the local community, particularly from unionists.
Arlene Foster who recently met with senior PSNI personnel to vent her fustration at the moves, described the plans as "entirely unacceptable".
The Fermanagh and South Tyrone representative expressed concern over public confidence and a lack of investment in policing provision.
"The local community needs to have confidence that the policing provided in County Fermanagh is more than adequate to protect the community from all forms of crime including terrorism," she said.
"Whilst police stations are being sold off, the money accrued is not necessarily being re-invested in policing the local area.
"It is utterly unacceptable to my constituents that we should be witnessing police station closures at this time, especially when dissident Republicans pose such a threat to the safety and security of the community", she added.
The three remaining stations are located in Enniskillen, Irvinestown and Lisnaskea.
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Monday 28 May 2012
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