Tories call for action on £232m police station maintenance backlog

The Scottish Tories have called for action as it emerged the maintenance backlog in the country’s police stations sits at almost £232 million.

Figures released to the party under freedom of information legislation showed police stations waiting for repairs worth £231.6 million.

The situation is worst in the greater Glasgow division, where the backlog sits at £46.5 million – 20% of the total.

A report presented to the Scottish Police Authority last year described the police estate as “unsustainable” and not fit for modern policing, adding that if the maintenance backlog were to be alleviated, “it would simply address the structural fabric of the buildings but not enhance them or make them fit for the future policing model”.

Responding to the figures, Scottish Tory community safety spokeswoman Sharon Dowey said: “The SNP’s sustained neglect of frontline policing has resulted in this truly staggering maintenance backlog.

“It’s appalling that already overwhelmed Police Scotland officers are being forced to work in crumbling conditions. This is unsafe and can’t be allowed to continue.

“This is a Scotland-wide problem but the neglect seems particularly acute in the south of the country. This is not just affecting staff morale – it can impact the ability of officers to safely police their community.

“These conditions are unsustainable, unfair and, coupled with dangerously low officer numbers, highlight SNP ministers’ contempt for our dedicated police force.

“Instead of continually undermining community safety, the Nationalists must provide Police Scotland with the resources needed to keep the public safe.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We support Police Scotland’s commitment to providing a safe environment for officers, staff and the public.

“While decisions around police stations are operational matters for the Chief Constable, we have more than tripled the policing capital budget since 2017-18 and we are investing a record £1.64 billion for policing this year.

“This includes £70 million of capital funding to invest in resources and estates. That will support Police Scotland to commence delivery of its estates master plan, which will deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose estate that serves the needs of the workforce and our communities.”

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “In November 2024 the Scottish Police Authority endorsed Police Scotland’s Estates Masterplan.

“The masterplan is a 10-year programme to create an estate that best serves our communities and helps us improve employee welfare and wellbeing facilities, contributing to our long-term vision for policing in Scotland.

“By the end of this financial year upgrade work will have been carried out on a significant number of our buildings.

“This programme of upgrade work will continue over the coming years to ensure that officers have access to the same standard of station facilities across the country.

“The masterplan will make long-term tangible improvements to our estate for the benefit of our officers, staff and communities. “