PSNI to close two Station Enquiry Offices across County Derry

Two police Station Enquiry Offices across County Derry are set to close, the PSNI has confirmed.

Station Enquiry Offices in Magherafelt and the Waterside area of Derry are to close as part of an review 'extensive review' Assistant Chief Constable for Local Policing, Bobby Singleton said.

Last month the Chief Constable informed the Policing Board that as a consequence of the current financial and resource pressures facing the PSNI, the decision was taken to reduce the number of Station Enquiry Offices from 28 to 17.

The Station Enquiry Office in Strand Road is open for 76 hours per week, while the offices in the Waterside and Magherafelt  are opened for 40 hours per week.

ACC Singleton said the decision to close the offices follows an extensive review which included analysis of the volume and type of demand in enquiry offices. The review concluded that against the backdrop of wider resource challenges, the current service is neither sustainable nor effective.

ACC Singleton added: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly and we are conscious there may be an actual or perceived loss of accessibility, visibility and ability to respond to the needs of the community. However, the PSNI is facing unprecedented financial pressure and savings are necessary to deliver a sustainable and effective organisation.

“The Chief Constable has been clear for some time that difficult decisions are going to have to be taken. The Police Service is shrinking and as a result, the level of service the public can expect to see is going to change.”

“It is important to emphasise that these are not station closures. Police Officers and staff will continue to serve the community from these locations. Our analysis shows that even with the reduced arrangement over 90% of households in Northern Ireland will be within 15 miles of a station Enquiry Office. The average household is 10.7 miles from their nearest office (an increase of 4 miles) or 18.5 minutes by car (an increase of 1.5 minutes).”

“The need for clarity and transparency on this issue is paramount. We want to be clear with the public about the challenges we are facing and the type of Service they can expect to see in the coming years.”