Unionists have condemned plans to close nine rural PSNI stations in the North. PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde 's proposals to close a further seven stations will be considered later this year.
The blueprint was put to a vote at the Northern Ireland Policing Board meeting in Belfast.
The Board voted by a majority to close stations in Castlerock, Moneymore, Ardglass, Castlewellan, Moy, Ballygawley, Caledon, Dromore and Plumbridge.
Unionists claim the decision would have a detrimental effect on rural communities.
Democratic Unionist Party MLA Arlene Foster hit out at the closures, many of which will take place in her constituency in the border regions of the Fermanagh and South Tyrone
She said: “I am concerned about the fact that Fermanagh is a very rural community and they need policemen on the ground at those stations and especially along the border.”
Ulster Unionist Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Tom Elliott, also hit out at the plans. Mr Elliott said: “Huge swathes of County Fermanagh's widely dispersed rural community could be left without adequate police cover.
“The community here suffered terribly at the hands of terrorists over the years. “How this proposal will effect police efficiency is unclear, but how this proposal will undermine public confidence is plainly obvious.”
A decision on stations in Ballinamallard, Derrygonelly, Irvinestown, Kinawley, Lisbellaw, Newtownbutler, Rosslea and Tempo will be made at the September Board meeting.
The delay is designed to provide an opportunity to further explain the strategy to the Fermanagh District Policing Partnership and wider community.
The 17 stations earmarked were on a list of more than 60 which have been identified for potential closure as part of a five-year Estate Strategy, drawn up by the PSNI and put before the Policing Board earlier in the year to modernise their service.
The strategy is, says the PSNI, a balance between multi-million pound investment in new stations, improvements to existing stations and a review of the number of stations within the existing estate.
The SDLP said the decision to close the stations would benefit the PSNI in the long term. West Belfast MLA Alex Attwood, who sits on the Policing Board, said:
“The releasing of resources to front line duties must now follow in order to further build up confidence in the PSNI.
“The decision of the Board to further consider the closure of stations in Fermanagh is understandable in order to reassure the community in Fermanagh that closure will serve their policing needs.
“The challenge now is for the PSNI to develop new methods to policing with the community, with mobile stations, multi-use buildings, dedicated response teams, and more officers on the ground and on the streets.”