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Police Scotland confirms closure of dozens of public counters Police Scotland confirms closure of dozens of public counters
(about 1 hour later)
Police Scotland have confirmed that dozens of police station front counters are to close from 3 March.Police Scotland have confirmed that dozens of police station front counters are to close from 3 March.
Only a handful of more that 60 stations marked to shut public counters or cut hours have been given a reprieve.Only a handful of more that 60 stations marked to shut public counters or cut hours have been given a reprieve.
The controversial plans were put to consultation in October. The public can still request a meeting with an officer on the 101 non-emergency number.The controversial plans were put to consultation in October. The public can still request a meeting with an officer on the 101 non-emergency number.
Confirmation of the move comes a week after approval to cut the number of police and fire control rooms.Confirmation of the move comes a week after approval to cut the number of police and fire control rooms.
The opening times of public counters at police stations across Scotland now fall into five categories and the list of affected stations remains largely the same as one proposed in the original consultation.The opening times of public counters at police stations across Scotland now fall into five categories and the list of affected stations remains largely the same as one proposed in the original consultation.
Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Mawson said: "Local policing remains the bedrock of the new service.Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Mawson said: "Local policing remains the bedrock of the new service.
"The benefits of a single service are already being felt right across the country - with national specialist resource now meaning our local community team resource is further strengthened and supported."The benefits of a single service are already being felt right across the country - with national specialist resource now meaning our local community team resource is further strengthened and supported.
"We have listened to all the views put forward and made changes to reflect this but an effective, modern policing service must evolve to reflect the communities we serve.""We have listened to all the views put forward and made changes to reflect this but an effective, modern policing service must evolve to reflect the communities we serve."
As a result of the closures members of the public will still be able to meet with police officers at stations with no public counter provision but will have to call 101 first.As a result of the closures members of the public will still be able to meet with police officers at stations with no public counter provision but will have to call 101 first.
The amendments to the orignal proposals are:The amendments to the orignal proposals are:
'Bitter blow''Bitter blow'
The reforms have been widely criticised by all of the main opposition political parties in Scotland.The reforms have been widely criticised by all of the main opposition political parties in Scotland.
Scottish Labour's Graeme Pearson said: "This announcement will be a bitter blow for the 61 communities which will now no longer have easy, face-to-face contact with their local police officers.Scottish Labour's Graeme Pearson said: "This announcement will be a bitter blow for the 61 communities which will now no longer have easy, face-to-face contact with their local police officers.
"I'm pleased that through our campaigning and the campaigning of many others, we've managed to save at least some from total closure.""I'm pleased that through our campaigning and the campaigning of many others, we've managed to save at least some from total closure."
The Scottish Liberal Democrats echoed Labour's concerns and said the news confirmed the party's "worst fears".The Scottish Liberal Democrats echoed Labour's concerns and said the news confirmed the party's "worst fears".
Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: "It is deeply disappointing that around 60 frontline police stations across Scotland are to close their doors to the public.Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: "It is deeply disappointing that around 60 frontline police stations across Scotland are to close their doors to the public.
"In the space of less than one year [Justice Secretary] Kenny MacAskill has taken a wrecking ball to local justice.""In the space of less than one year [Justice Secretary] Kenny MacAskill has taken a wrecking ball to local justice."
Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont branded the consultation process a "PR exercise" to prepare the public for the level of the cuts.Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont branded the consultation process a "PR exercise" to prepare the public for the level of the cuts.
"As everyone suspected, the consultation exercise was merely Police Scotland going through the motions," he said. "No matter what anyone said, these service counters were closing.""As everyone suspected, the consultation exercise was merely Police Scotland going through the motions," he said. "No matter what anyone said, these service counters were closing."
A Scottish government spokesman said: "The review of public counters was undertaken by Police Scotland which was established following wide Scottish Parliament support for the new single service.
"After listening and taking account of public opinion, consultation responses and staff, police are increasing services at Stromness, Banchory, Dumbarton, South Queensferry and Linlithgow.
"Under the review, 71% of counters will remain open to the public with some increasing their hours."