The proposed closure of up to 26 RUC stations in the North has been condemned by Ulster Unionist politicians, who have predicted an upsurge in crime.
Plans to shut the bases, several of which are in nationalist areas, were discussed at a meeting of RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan and the Police Authority in Belfast yesterday.
After the meeting, the chairman of the Police Authority, Mr Pat Armstrong, said the proposed cuts were not related to recent political developments.
"Several politicians have tried to make something of the timing of our discussions but in reality today's meeting with the Chief Constable is a meeting which we have every month.
"The fact that we have been discussing the future of the police estate is hardly surprising given that we had asked for a report on the current thinking some weeks ago. It is unfortunate that those who decided to prematurely leak this information to the press did not consider more the consequences of their action."
Mr Armstrong confirmed that the closure of RUC stations had been discussed but said the proposals were at an early stage. He insisted no final decisions had been made as to which stations should close but said the authority had requested detailed information from the RUC. He also called for increased funding for the police.
Ulster Unionist MP Mr Jeffrey Donaldson said the closures, which he said would affect stations in Bessbrook and Middletown, south Armagh, Shantallow in Derry, and Springfield Road in west Belfast, were a result of the Belfast Agreement.
"They are the latest consequence of the disastrous Patten report, which envisaged the downsizing of the police," he said. "We were supposed to see enhancement of community policing. However, I fail to see how the closure of these stations will lead to the enhancement of policing in those particular areas." He urged the government to provide more resources to keep stations open.
"You cannot put a price on people's security. At a time when the government is throwing money at the Bloody Sunday inquiry, £100 million would make a huge difference to the state of policing," he said. Mr Donaldson's party colleague, Mr David Burnside, described the proposals as "alarming".
Mr Armstrong said: "We have repeatedly expressed our concerns about the lack of funding made available by the government for the police service.
"This financial pressure, coupled with the demands of a smaller service and the changing security environment, has meant there is no alternative but to review whether all the police locations which currently exist need to be maintained."
The Police Authority warned in its policing plan, released in March this year, that the police service was facing a £20 million shortfall in its 2002 budget.