Menu
20/11/2014
PSNI Offices To Close 12 Hours A Day
All PSNI Station Enquiry Offices across Northern Ireland are to be reduced to a maximum of 12 hours as a result of budget cuts.
The PSNI is required to save £38.4m by 31 March 2015 and will be faced with about 10% cuts next year.
Changes to enquiry office opening hours will be implemented over coming weeks and months. There will be two exceptions: Musgrave Station in Belfast and L'Derry’s Strand Road Station enquiry offices, which will remain open to the public 24 hours each day.
Assistant Chief Constable for District Policing, Stephen Martin, explained: "It is important the public is reassured that any reduction in enquiry office opening hours does not mean a reduction in our service. Policing remains a 24 hour, seven days a week operation and we will continue to be there at people’s time of need. Police activities within stations will continue as normal and we can be contacted 24 hours a day on either 101 or for emergencies on 999."
The PSNI has said its research shows police stations receive a very small number of callers trying to attend to routine matters between the hours of 22:00 and 08:00. The number of people visiting the station enquiry offices after 22:00 accounts for less than 2% of visits to the enquiry office over a whole week, it said.
ACC Martin added: "The public are increasingly engaging with the police in different ways – from online reporting of non-emergency and hate crime incidents, to interacting with local police on one of our 32 Facebook pages and 32 Twitter feeds, to contacting local Neighbourhood Policing Teams directly as their contact details are available from the PSNI website. As a result we have found fewer people are visiting or using police stations.
"We have taken efforts to minimise any inconvenience caused to communities through reducing the station enquiry office opening hours by taking into consideration peak times they are used. Each of the District Commanders will be determining the opening hours at every one of our stations based on demand. They will be communicating the new public opening times to their communities through the local media and via our social media channels and website over coming weeks."
It is anticipated that decreasing enquiry office opening hours will save up to £250,000 per year and up to £75,000 by the end of this financial year.
(IT/CD)
The PSNI is required to save £38.4m by 31 March 2015 and will be faced with about 10% cuts next year.
Changes to enquiry office opening hours will be implemented over coming weeks and months. There will be two exceptions: Musgrave Station in Belfast and L'Derry’s Strand Road Station enquiry offices, which will remain open to the public 24 hours each day.
Assistant Chief Constable for District Policing, Stephen Martin, explained: "It is important the public is reassured that any reduction in enquiry office opening hours does not mean a reduction in our service. Policing remains a 24 hour, seven days a week operation and we will continue to be there at people’s time of need. Police activities within stations will continue as normal and we can be contacted 24 hours a day on either 101 or for emergencies on 999."
The PSNI has said its research shows police stations receive a very small number of callers trying to attend to routine matters between the hours of 22:00 and 08:00. The number of people visiting the station enquiry offices after 22:00 accounts for less than 2% of visits to the enquiry office over a whole week, it said.
ACC Martin added: "The public are increasingly engaging with the police in different ways – from online reporting of non-emergency and hate crime incidents, to interacting with local police on one of our 32 Facebook pages and 32 Twitter feeds, to contacting local Neighbourhood Policing Teams directly as their contact details are available from the PSNI website. As a result we have found fewer people are visiting or using police stations.
"We have taken efforts to minimise any inconvenience caused to communities through reducing the station enquiry office opening hours by taking into consideration peak times they are used. Each of the District Commanders will be determining the opening hours at every one of our stations based on demand. They will be communicating the new public opening times to their communities through the local media and via our social media channels and website over coming weeks."
It is anticipated that decreasing enquiry office opening hours will save up to £250,000 per year and up to £75,000 by the end of this financial year.
(IT/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 November 2024
Two Arrested After High-Speed Police Chase In West Belfast
Two men have been arrested following a high-speed police chase in west Belfast early Monday morning. At around 2:30 AM, police spotted a white Volkswagen Golf traveling at excessive speed on the Westlink.
Two Arrested After High-Speed Police Chase In West Belfast
Two men have been arrested following a high-speed police chase in west Belfast early Monday morning. At around 2:30 AM, police spotted a white Volkswagen Golf traveling at excessive speed on the Westlink.
19 November 2024
Police Appeal After Arson Attack In Newtownards
Detectives have renewed an appeal for information following a deliberate arson attack at a vacant property in the Weaver's Grange area of Newtownards. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 17 November, 2023. Police and firefighters were called to the scene at around 12:40am.
Police Appeal After Arson Attack In Newtownards
Detectives have renewed an appeal for information following a deliberate arson attack at a vacant property in the Weaver's Grange area of Newtownards. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 17 November, 2023. Police and firefighters were called to the scene at around 12:40am.
14 November 2024
Police Appeal Following Burglary In Ahoghill
Detectives are appealing for information following a report of a burglary in Ahoghill on Tuesday, 12th November. Police received a report that the back door of a house on the Ballymena Road was forced open shortly before 6pm.
Police Appeal Following Burglary In Ahoghill
Detectives are appealing for information following a report of a burglary in Ahoghill on Tuesday, 12th November. Police received a report that the back door of a house on the Ballymena Road was forced open shortly before 6pm.
25 November 2024
Man Arrested In Connection With £150,000 Cannabis Seizure
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Organised Crime Unit, in partnership with Belfast Harbour Police, have made a significant breakthrough in their fight against drug crime. On Friday evening, November 22nd, a vehicle was intercepted and searched in the West Bank Road area of north Belfast.
Man Arrested In Connection With £150,000 Cannabis Seizure
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Organised Crime Unit, in partnership with Belfast Harbour Police, have made a significant breakthrough in their fight against drug crime. On Friday evening, November 22nd, a vehicle was intercepted and searched in the West Bank Road area of north Belfast.
22 November 2024
Pedestrian Injured In Belfast Hit-and-Run
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information following a hit-and-run incident in the Botanic Avenue area of Belfast in the early hours of Thursday morning. Officers were called to the scene shortly before 1.30am after a male pedestrian was struck by a maroon Mazda. Despite being injured, the pedestrian left the area before police arrived.
Pedestrian Injured In Belfast Hit-and-Run
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information following a hit-and-run incident in the Botanic Avenue area of Belfast in the early hours of Thursday morning. Officers were called to the scene shortly before 1.30am after a male pedestrian was struck by a maroon Mazda. Despite being injured, the pedestrian left the area before police arrived.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
