16.12.04
Belfast Telegraph
Mobile PSNI stations plan
By Jonathan McCambridge, Crime Correspondent
jmccambridge@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
16 December 2004
The PSNI is developing plans for a new form of mobile police station which could be used in areas where bases are to close, it can be revealed today.
Officers have recently visited England where they viewed a number of police stations based in vans to gather ideas.
It is now hoped that plans for an Ulster version of the mobile station will be ready early in the New Year.
The planned station would have a number of facilities and would be linked by computer to police bases. The first area where the new mobile could be used may be Castlereagh, where a consultation process has begun on the future of Carryduff police station.
If it were closed, a number of facilities will be moved to Dundonald station, combined with the mobile station.
Superintendent Gordon Reid said that it was part of his determination to deliver community policing.
"As a means of increasing visibility of our officers, one exciting option would be to look at a mobile station.
"This would be a van which would have a meeting area, an interview area and would be linked by computer to our main station. It could have a digital signboard with information relevant to the community it is in.
"Some of my officers have gone to England to look at designs but they will decide for themselves what it will look like and what will best meet the needs of the community.
"We hope to have a final design next month and have entered into consultations to find what sort of policing people want."
Mobile PSNI stations plan
By Jonathan McCambridge, Crime Correspondent
jmccambridge@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
16 December 2004
The PSNI is developing plans for a new form of mobile police station which could be used in areas where bases are to close, it can be revealed today.
Officers have recently visited England where they viewed a number of police stations based in vans to gather ideas.
It is now hoped that plans for an Ulster version of the mobile station will be ready early in the New Year.
The planned station would have a number of facilities and would be linked by computer to police bases. The first area where the new mobile could be used may be Castlereagh, where a consultation process has begun on the future of Carryduff police station.
If it were closed, a number of facilities will be moved to Dundonald station, combined with the mobile station.
Superintendent Gordon Reid said that it was part of his determination to deliver community policing.
"As a means of increasing visibility of our officers, one exciting option would be to look at a mobile station.
"This would be a van which would have a meeting area, an interview area and would be linked by computer to our main station. It could have a digital signboard with information relevant to the community it is in.
"Some of my officers have gone to England to look at designs but they will decide for themselves what it will look like and what will best meet the needs of the community.
"We hope to have a final design next month and have entered into consultations to find what sort of policing people want."
