CONCERNS over security around the border area in Fermanagh have been raised following the suggestion that the PSNI have requested riot trained police officers from other parts of the UK in anticipation of potential disruption following Brexit.
Figures revealed in July 2018 shows that Fermanagh is the county with the highest number of border crossings in the North, with 80 recognised crossings into the South.
Speculation has been rife since the Sun reported that an email sent to police forces across the UK has asked for officers with ‘level 2 public order training’ to help the PSNI ahead of Brexit in March.
The PSNI has since confirmed to the press that ‘while there is, as yet, no indication that mutual aid will be required, preparations for mutual aid form part of our ongoing planning work.’
Sinn Fein Councillor Barry Doherty believes that the border communities in the North are being ignored, and speculation about security raises further concerns.
“This is another manifestation of the nonsense coming out of Westminster at the minute. We have had long enough at this stage to have an orderly process, and three months away from Brexit, chatting about bringing in an extra 1,000 officers and this sort of thing, shows the chaos the process has been at this point. There is a big feeling in border areas that the people are being ignored, and that we will be the collateral in the Brexit fall out.
“There is nobody in the border areas saying that there is going to be any violence, but yet the response to border peoples concerns has been to ignore them, make light of them and now, to impose security concerns.”
Ulster Unionist MLA Rosemary Barton reacted saying that she would welcome additional full-time PSNI officers being recruited for all types of police duty,’ but questioned why riot police would be required.
Ms Barton said, “The PSNI is already under-strength by 1,000 from what was recommended by the Patten proposals, the number of stations greatly reduced and public access to police greatly diminished. Therefore, any increase in police numbers should be permanent and recruited through the proper processes, and not a temporary measure.
“The other question that arises from this suggestion is why riot police would be required?
“Have the PSNI got information or intelligence to suggest that riot police would be required and if so where would the trouble come from that would necessitate such additional resources?”
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Posted: 9:17 am January 13, 2019