Democratic Unionist members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board have voiced their concerns about the PSNI Estates Strategy after the Northern Ireland Policing Board approved the disposal of some 21 police stations throughout Northern Ireland.

DUP Policing Board member, Ian McCrea MLA said: "The Chief Constable has operational independence and therefore has the power to decide what stations to use or not. The sole power of the Board in this matter is whether or not to keep stations on the books, which has obvious financial implications, especially if they are not being used.

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"Nevertheless, we feel that some of these disposals are ill-advised. For example, the decision to close Randalstown means that the entire area between Magherafelt and Antrim is now without an active police station.

"We also have concerns that the public consultation exercise around closing many of these stations does not meet the standard required of a genuine public consultation. Many people involved have contacted us to express concerns that they didn't feel their opinion was given fair or due consideration."

(CD)