POLICE BUDGET CUTS

POLICE station offices across Scotland face closure or reduced opening hours following a major national review.

Victims of crime may have to report to police officers in libraries or housing association offices if a cost-cutting strategy by Police Scotland is agreed.

Some police in rural areas already speak to members of the public in the officers’ own homes because of a lack of police buildings.

Police Scotland needs to cut its budget by £190 million over the next two years as a result of the unification of regional forces which took place on April 1.

The single national force is reviewing its office buildings ‘in light of the challenging budget’, according to a letter sent by Police Scotland to politicians.

Consideration will now be given to cutting the force’s costs by sharing space with councils, housing associations and other public agencies.

Police Scotland is also assessing the traffic warden service, which could see parking enforcement transferred to the control of councils. This would allow local authorities to keep parking fines which at present are transferred to the UK Treasury.

Lib Dem justice spokesman, Alison McInnes, responding to the police review, said:

… In many communities the local (police) station is the most visible police presence and the easiest way for people to access justice.

… For people in rural areas in particular the prospect of reduced opening hours of public counters will be a real concern. Coming so soon after the SNP’s court closures this would come as another blow to locally delivered justice in Scotland.

South of the Border, Scotland Yard has plans to move its officers into post offices and supermarkets as part of a £500 million budget cutting programme.

Police Scotland already has officers in civic centres and other community buildings, such as Drumbrae Library in Edinburgh, where a safer neighbourhood team is based. Others could be moved into libraries and housing associations to make officers more visible and accessible.

Police Scotland’s letter to MPs, MSPs and councillors states:

… Recent experience has shown there is a decrease in the volume of visitors who actually attend at public counters at police stations.

… Taken in the context of an increasingly challenging financial climate and the need to make best use of all our staff, it is now prudent to examine this aspect of service delivery to the public.

Police Scotland has guaranteed a consultation to give the public a say when the review is published.

Taken together, the review of the 230 police front counters (with some facing closure) along with a review of the traffic warden service, are expected to be the first in a huge overhaul of the police force in Scotland.

Police Scotland is reviewing its policing operations across the service to deliver efficiencies. By doing so it aims to have the right structures in place to deliver local priorities. It is understood that any significant changes will be subject to local engagement.

The letter from Police Scotland concludes:

… Policing continues to face unprecedented financial challenges, with a requirement to find savings and provide best value for public services.