The first of four meetings aimed at giving members of the public a chance to learn more about the modernisation of the Isle of Man Constabulary takes place this evening.

A reorganisation aimed at maintaining safety while cutting budgets was recently announced by the Chief Constable.
The meetings, attended by Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK and Chief Constable Gary Roberts, have been organised to help raise awareness of the changes.

This evening's meeting will be at St Andrew’s Church Hall on Glencrutchery Road, in Douglas at 7pm.

It will focus on the Central district covering Douglas, Onchan and Braddan.

On Thursday the 14th of August, a meeting will be held in the Castletown Civic Centre for the Southern area, incorporating Port Erin, Port St Mary, Castletown, Malew, Santon, Arbory and Rushen.

Meetings for the Northern and Western neighbourhood policing areas will be arranged after the Festival of Motorcycling.

The Constabulary’s modernisation plans include the closure of two police stations and a reduction in the total number of officers. Neighbourhood policing will continue, but with the three teams outside Douglas being reduced in size and under the command of a single Inspector.

Councillor Colin Cain, Chairman of the PCF, says the measures announced by the Chief Constable will undoubtedly have an impact on policing in the Isle of Man and the meetings will provide an opportunity to explain the plans in more detail to listen to people’s views and concerns.