The force described the move, long speculated about in the media, as a “precautionary step”.

Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin said: “The PSNI has a responsibility to keep people safe and we constantly review our resources to ensure that we are best equipped to do this.”

In light of the 2016 vote, he said the PSNI is “reviewing decisions we previously made about some of our stations identified for disposal”.

The PSNI therefore intends to “pause the disposal of three stations in border areas”, he confirmed, namely Castlederg and Aughnacloy in County Tyrone and Warrenpoint in County Down.

ACC Martin added: “As the PSNI has not yet received details regarding potential border arrangements, this is a precautionary step to ensure that, whatever Brexit looks like in the future, we will be able to continue to keep our communities safe.”