News / Tavish wants police control rooms kept open
SHETLAND MSP Tavish Scott is calling on the Scottish Government to reverse Police Scotland’s planned closure of its Aberdeen and Inverness control rooms later this year.
The proposed closures are being examined by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) in the wake of the tragic loss of two lives on the M9 near Stirling after police failed to attend the crash site for three days after being alerted by a member of the public.
HMICS’s investigation is due to report at the end of October but the SNP government and Police Scotland are going ahead with the programme of closures.
Scott said: “The Scottish Government should step in and cancel these control room closures. Police Scotland’s chief will force these closures unless he is stopped by ministers. This is now a real test of public accountability and confidence over policing in Scotland.
“There is now a cross-party consensus amongst opposition MSPs opposed to the Scottish Government’s centralisation of our vital public services. It will be interesting to see if SNP and other independence-supporting MSPs back the needs of the Highlands and Islands or back the SNP government.”
He added:‘‘The tragic crash on the M9 and the lack of response by Police Scotland demonstrates how vital local expertise is for effective policing.
“A single, centralised police force is not working and centralising control rooms will make this worse. The HMICS investigation is very important. The government must heed its findings before any further closures take place.”
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.