Rural police get upwardly mobile

By Louise Cullen
BBC News

Noel Kilpatrick is in charge of the mobile station

Mobile police stations are becoming a more common sight in our rural towns and villages, as police stations are closed and new ways of policing adopted.

But is it the answer, when there's an increased threat from dissident republicans?

In Fermanagh, where officers have come under attack recently, a mobile station has been on the road for almost two years.

Noel Kilpatrick, the officer in charge of the mobile station, says it has been well received in the county.

Plenty of people know Noel and his Thursday co-worker, Lynn, by name and it is not long before people are stopping by to say hello or report a concern.

One man calls in to tell the officers about cars parked along the road near a junction and after taking the details, Noel arranges to call him back to let him know what action is being taken.

"It's like bringing the old way of policing back to the villages if you like, the village bobby back on the beat," he said.

At our next stop, in the border village of Belleek, Sergeant Scott Fallis who is in charge of north Fermanagh, says that is the way it should be.

A lot of the villages now, if you aren't there, they're asking questions as to where the mobile station has been Constable Noel Kilpatrick

With more station closures ahead for the police estate in Fermanagh, he believes changes in policing make the service more efficient.

"The more people you speak to, it's not bricks-and-mortar that they're looking for.

"Sure, they're apprehensive about police stations closing, but it's because they think the station goes, then the police will not be focussed round that area.

"And I think it's a challenge to us to address that and allay their fears by showing them that we can still be in the area when there's no building there and that we can be just as effective if not more."

But while some local people welcome the mobile station's visits, others say it is too easy a target, with an increased dissident republican threat in border regions.

Additional security precautions are taken and Noel says they are all aware of the risk.

"Obviously, if you're going to be bringing policing to the villages on a regular basis, you have to try and keep the times the same, but you just have to be very conscious of where you park and make sure everything's quite safe round you.

"We have always been security-conscious anyway but you just have to be that bit more diligent."

'Trust'

In the afternoon, we travel to the village of Lisbellaw, where Noel and Lynn have time to set up vehicle checkpoints at each end of the village.

The police station here closed in 2005, but Lynn believes the mobile unit fills the gap well.

"We can offer most facilities that the big police station can, or we'll arrange with them to come back with such-and-such a form next week or if they live in the village, we just go to their house and help them. They really do trust us now."

The mobile unit went on the road in November 2006, after six police stations were closed throughout Fermanagh.

Another four are being considered for closure.

Noel says the mobile station has proved a viable alternative to bricks-and-mortar buildings.

"It's been quite successful. A lot of the villages now, if you aren't there, they're asking questions as to where the mobile station has been.

"We don't always have callers every day, but we always are a presence in the village if people require us."

A decision on the future of the stations in Belcoo, Belleek, Kesh and Newtownbutler is expected next month.