§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many incidents requiring Royal Ulster Constabulary action have occurred in the area formerly served by each limited opening Royal Ulster Constabulary sub-station in east Antrim since these limited opening stations were closed;
(2) whether he will discuss with the new Chief Constable as a matter of priority the impact of closure of limited opening stations in east Antrim.
§ Mr. Ian Stewart[holding answer 2 May 1989]: The Chief Constable tells me that no limited opening police stations have been closed in East Antrim. There were however three police posts closed in the area—Craigyhill (Larne), Sunnylands (Carrickfergus) and Knockfergus 41W (Greenisland). Since their closure in November 1988 the number of reports received for these areas which required some form of police action was 529, 346 and 169, respectively. The deployment of police resources is an operational matter for the judgment of the Chief Constable in which I do not propose to intervene.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether there has been any change in levels of crime reported in each of the areas formerly covered by limited opening Royal Ulster Constabulary stations in east
Craigyhill Sunnylands Knockfergus Period burglary theft burglary theft burglary theft 26 November 1986 to 28 April 1987 20 7 33 27 71 67 26 November 1987 to 28 April 1988 20 13 28 15 56 45 26 November 1988 to 28 April 1989 25 7 19 17 45 58 It is considered too early to reach a judgment as to the overall trend in the level of crime in these areas since the closure of the police posts.