North Isles to get police officer back

THE NORTH Isles of Shetland are set to have a resident police presence for the first time in a number of years after the appointment of an officer to Yell.

The constable will take up the role in October and he will cover Yell, Unst and Fetlar, as well as Whalsay.

Chief inspector Lindsay Tulloch revealed the news at Shetland Islands Council’s community safety and resilience board meeting on Thursday afternoon in Lerwick.

The officer, who will be based in the police house in Yell, will come to the North Isles after the post lay vacant for three years.

Police Scotland has now advertised the post nationally and received a number of applicants.

Speaking after the council meeting, Tulloch said that communities in areas like Yell and Unst had expressed their desire to see an officer stationed in the isles again.

“I’ve attended community council meetings where communities have made representation and have asked me to try to ensure that there’s a continued police presence in the isles,” Tulloch said.

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“So I’ve listened to what they’ve said and I’ve made efforts to ensure that this appointment is made for October.”

Tulloch said the post had been left vacant for a few years because he felt the need to concentrate on boosting staff levels at the isles’ main police station in Lerwick.

He added that another officer will start a probationary period in Lerwick in September, which will bring Shetland to its full staff complement.

Police Scotland chief constable Philip Gormley meanwhile was scheduled to attend the community safety and resilience board on Thursday, but his flight was cancelled due to fog.

He also due to attend Shetland’s Police Scotland Youth Volunteers’ passing out parade in Lerwick during the evening.