Plans for further cuts of rural police stations in Northern Ireland were revealed today.
The PSNI's cost-cutting scheme would see it shut bases in Pomeroy, Coagh and Stewartstown, leaving the 30,000 population in the Cookstown region of Co Tyrone with just one station - in the town.
Last month proposals to cut the number of stations in the Co Fermanagh from seven to three were put out for consultation, and schemes for cuts in the Dungannon and Omagh areas of Tyrone are expected to be outlined soon.
PSNI Chief Supt Michael Skuce said his plans should be seen in the context of the constraints on the policing budget recently outlined. He said he wanted to see more of his officers out on the streets rather than stuck behind desks.
Chief Supt Michael Skuce added Northern Ireland had a pattern of police stations unlike any other part of the United Kingdom, which reflected a different era.
PA