Police closure plans criticised

Local people are angry about plans to close police stations

Proposals to close eight police stations in Fermanagh have been criticised at a public meeting.

The meeting in Tempo was the first in a series being held over the next three weeks in each of the towns and villages where stations may close.

Local people said there had not been enough consultation and have called for assurances on policing levels.

However, District Commander Superintendent Clifford Best said there would have to be changes.

"There will be people who will not be happy with some of the decisions that will have to be made, but we have a £13.2m budget to live in within Fermanagh," he said.

"It is important that I use this budget effectively and efficiently and I employ those resources, irrespective of what those resources are, adequately and for the betterment of the people in the communities."

Fermanagh has 13 police stations, more than any other District Command Unit in Northern Ireland.

A final decision on the future of the stations will be taken by the Policing Board when it meets on 1 September.