Warning over community policing after 180 stations closed since 2013

The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) says it is “deeply concerned” at the number of police station closures around Scotland, warning links with communities are being eroded.

The organisation, which represents rank and file officers, said 180 stations had closed since Police Scotland was formed in 2013, with a further 21 closures or sales “in progress”.

The figures were obtained following a freedom of information request and reported in the justice affairs magazine 1919.

Opposition parties blamed a lack of funding from the Scottish Government, with the Tories accusing the SNP of “presiding over the death of community policing”.

David Kennedy, SPF general secretary, said: “The Scottish Police Federation remains deeply concerned that the ongoing sale of police stations is eroding the visible presence of policing in our communities.

“These buildings are far more than bricks and mortar – they are a clear and constant deterrent to crime and a vital point of reassurance for the public.

“As stations disappear from our towns and neighbourhoods, so too does the sense of safety they provide.

“Officers are being asked to deliver local policing without the local footprint that communities rightly expect.

“Scotland deserves a policing model that is accessible, visible, and rooted in the places it serves – not one defined by retreat and reduced presence.”

He said the figures showed that a funding uplift for Police Scotland is “vital”.

Scottish Labour’s justice spokeswoman Pauline McNeill said: “The SNP has hollowed out Police Scotland, with fewer officers now than when the force was established in 2013.”

Scottish Conservative community safety spokesperson Sharon Dowey said: “The SNP is presiding over the death of community policing, and many Scots will inevitably feel that there is no longer a strong police presence where they live.”

The Scottish Government said community policing is a central priority.

A spokesman said: “While decisions around police stations and how resources are deployed are operational matters for the chief constable, Police Scotland continues to dispose of properties that are no longer fit for purpose or required, while reinvesting in purpose-built facilities to deliver modern premises.

“Scotland’s police officers do an outstanding job and we are grateful for their dedicated work to keep our communities safe.

“We are supporting Police Scotland’s plans to improve their estate to meet current needs by investing a record £1.64 billion in policing this year.

“This includes £70 million of capital funding to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose police estate.”

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “Police Scotland inherited a very large and ageing estate, which is costly to maintain, environmentally inefficient and located in areas that no longer reflect the demands on modern policing.

“Our estate needs to be in the right location for our people and for the communities we serve.

“Our estates’ transformation should not be seen as a withdrawal from communities.

“We want to maintain a local presence, however, in ways that are more effective and sustainable.

“Under Police Scotland’s estates masterplan we are aiming to create an estate of strategically based locations and hubs that will enable officers to continue being visible and accessible to local communities.”

The spokesman added: “Work on the estates masterplan is already underway and will make long term tangible improvements to our estate for the benefit of our officers, staff and communities.”