Budget cuts will devastate our frontline services if we don't act now

Ally McGilvray • Published 24 Jan 2012 08:53 0 Comments

CONTROVERSIAL plans to close police stations in the Borders and slash the opening hours of others will not be reversed following the announcement of a new single police and fire and rescue services in Scotland this week.

However, it has been claimed it will give the public a greater say on any future decisions.

Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill met local police officers and firefighters in Galashiels to mark the introduction of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill yesterday (Tuesday).

The legislation will establish the Police Service of Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The Government said the move to a single force was the only way to maintain the number of police officers across Scotland.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph outside Galashiels police station, which recently had its opening hours slashed, Mr MacAskill said: "The stark reality is that budget cuts from Westminster will devastate our excellent frontline services if we don't act now.

"I am delighted to launch the Bill in Galashiels. This is about maintaining a visible police presence in our communities at a time of financial challenges."

But he added: "I don't the public will see any immediate difference. What ultimately will happen is there will be greater accountability locally, the local divisional commander will interact with Scottish Borders Council, whether it's all councillors or a council committee of seven or eight they've still to decide. At the moment the region has only got two or so councillors on Lothian and Borders Police Board so there will be greater democratic accountability."

When asked whether the new structure would reverse the decision to close police stations in Innerleithen, West Linton, and Newcastleton, Mr MacAskill said: "That will be a matter for the divisional commander, clearly local police presence is what we want." But he added: "Sometimes it's better dealt with by police being out, as I've seen in Walkerburn with officers on bikes, rather than stuck on stations."

It was announced in September last year that the Scottish Government will go ahead with proposals to create a single police force following a consultation earlier in the year.

Mr MacAskill told MSPs that single police and fire services will save £130 million a year and £1.7 billion over 15 years. He promised there would be no political interference in operational matters, while pledging to increase local accountability.

Scottish Borders Council leader David Parker said: "This is good news for us. We are going to be one of the local pathfinders so we will be piloting the new arrangements in the Borders which will mean we have a local board which will be specifically looking after Scottish Borders policing. That will mean we will have a commander appointed locally, we will have our own policing plan and we will have many more councillors involved in local policing."

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This article appeared in Border Telegraph 24 Jan 12

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