Chief Superintendent Kevin Dunwoody.
THE head of policing in Fermanagh has laid bare the devastating and harsh impact PSNI budgets cuts will have on the county’s police force.
Sweeping budget cuts will see fewer police officers and resources deployed across Fermanagh hitting areas like neighbourhood policing, emergency call-outs and tackling rural crime.
The deepening financial crisis will see a change to front-line policing meaning police presence in Fermanagh will be reduced.
Kevin Dunwoody, Superintendent of the F district – which covers Fermanagh – sent a stark warning to the public stating that “harsh decisions” will have to be made in response to the looming cuts.
“We are reviewing everything that we do and how we do it,” he added.
“It is going to mean some harsh decisions which may have an impact on response times and in the service we provide.
“The harsh reality is that there will be cuts in services but these will be prioritised to ensure that we minimise threat risk and harm.”
Outlining some areas impacted by the budget cuts, Superintendent Dunwoody said that officers in neighbourhood and district policing will be moved to help plug other duties.
Other areas include:
– Emergency call-outs
– Rural crime (including cattle rustling)
– Neighbourhood policing
“With different ways of working and with the cooperation of the public, we will be able to minimise the impact.
“We will do our best to adapt to these new pressures and we will keep the community at the heart of everything we do,” he continued.
“As public servants we are mindful of our duty to produce a balanced budget but as police officers, the duty to keep people safe and to prevent crime will always be our top priorities.
“I believe that the plans we have come up with in district will mitigate those risks to increased crime and safety.”
While the Superintendent ruled out any impact to dealing with dissident republican threats, he revealed that cutting station opening hours may be considered to maintain preventative patrolling, but will only be used as a “last resort”.
Fermanagh District Council chairman Bert Johnston, who also sits on the PCSP (Policing and Community Safety Partnerships) blamed Sinn Fein for the PSNI cuts over their failure to agree over the welfare reform and the budget.
He also raised concerns that “nearly all” PSNI services will be effected by the budget cuts.
“It’s very sad that policing will be one of things that will impacted upon, we need police and I think it’s incumbent of every elected representative to try and persuade Stormont to accept the welfare reform and get the extra money that’s needed,” he added.
“Sinn Fein and the SDLP are blocking these reforms and that’s what is causing these problems.
“It will mean fewer police on duty and police presence will be reduced and call-outs will take longer. It will effect the time it takes for police to get to call-outs so it will leave criminals more freedom to carry out crimes and they know that. It will compromise safety and all because some parties are holding out over welfare reform.”
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