SIC lifeline for Lerwick police station
TWO Shetland police stations are to close, but Lerwick could be kept open 24 hours a day following talks at the Northern Joint Police Board in Inverness on Friday.
Northern Constabulary is being forced to make cut backs of almost £5 million to help meet government savings targets and has decided to close 15 small police stations across the highlands and islands, including Dunrossness and Scalloway.
However the board has agreed to consider proposals from Shetland Islands Council to cover the £50,000 cost of employing three office staff that would keep Lerwick police station open during the night between 8pm and 8am.
The council will meet on 10 February to discuss the possibility of using the police station to run two statutory services, including coordinating emergency transport cover and the Homelink security system for people receiving care at home.
Board member and SIC councillor Alastair Cooper said discussions were ongoing, but chief constable Ian Latimer was very enthusiastic about collaborative working with the public sector.
“I think it’s a good solution for the Shetland community. It will keep the station open 24/7 and allow the police to carry on with front line services,” Mr Cooper said.
The police hope to save £35,000 a year by closing the Scalloway police station and shifting the local officer to Lerwick, while £215,000 could be realised from the sale of Dunrossness police station, with the service moving to Sumburgh airport.
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