News / Two rural police stations close
AS PART of wide ranging cost cutting measures at Northern Constabulary, two police stations in Shetland, at Scalloway and Dunrossness, will close on Thursday.
A decision to close a total of 16 stations across the highlands and islands area was taken by the Northern Joint Police Board, earlier this year.
The officer previously based at Dunrossness will transfer to Sumburgh airport where a police service point has been established. Meanwhile Scalloway’s policeman will transfer to the force’s Shetland head quarters in Lerwick.
Shetland area commander David Bushell said the changes enabled the force to keep officer numbers above a minimum of 761 for the coming year.
“Police officers will still be visible and accessible and working within the community as usual. I am delighted that we will soon be able to provide a police service point within the airport at Sumburgh from April,” the chief inspector said.
Former Shetland area commander, deputy chief constable Andy Cowie added: “In recent years Northern Constabulary has carried out a significant amount of planning and preparation which puts us in a better position than many other forces or organisations to deal with the challenging years ahead.
“We are already highly efficient and have maximised resources into frontline policing. The measures taken to rationalise our estate and reception services allow us to retain the highest possible numbers of officers in our communities.”
The empty stations will be sold on the open market in due course.
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