Sutherland to have no police counter service from next month
Sutherland will have no police counter service from March 3 as Police Scotland close the service at Dornoch.
In a change to the counter provision across the country, it was announced at the weekend that Dornoch will be one of 61 counters to shut next month.
Members of the public will still be able to meet with police officers at stations with no public counter provision, but are requested to call 101 first, the Police Scotland non emergency number, to ensure someone is available to meet them.
At Tain, the counter will be manned from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday; Ullapool will open from 9am-5pm Tuesdays and Thursdays; Wick and Thurso will open 8am-6pm seven days a week.
Highlands & Islands (Labour) MSP David Stewart was one of the first to condemn the move. He said: “I recognise that efficiency saving have always to be made where and when appropriate, but in this case many of these closures or reduced opening hours have been brought about by this Government’s desire to cut Police resources deeply, in order to save £63million in year one of the new Scottish Force.
“When we had the legacy Forces the drive was to engage fully with the public and always be approachable and accessible. Community Policing was seen as being at the heart of all Policing strategies.
“Now Police Scotland are closing Police counters and at many Police offices throughout the Highlands & Islands they are introducing reduced opening hours. The result means many will just be open Monday to Friday making direct access to those who require same over the weekend impossible”.
He continued: “Many parts of the Highlands & Islands have poor broadband facilities, many other households have none, so on-line reporting of incidents and on-line contact is not possible.
“If they find property now, instead of calling at the local Police Office with it, they will have to telephone the Police and a front line officer will have to call and collect the property. This is a retrograde step and a step which means more work for the hard pushed front line officer. It seems to me that the thin blue line which is currently stretched, will be stretched further by this Government’s actions to the point that it may well snap.”
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.
“This means all areas have access to specialist expertise and equipment whenever and wherever required, and can draw flexibly on extra officers and specialist skills when local demand requires it.
“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.
“These changes allow us to ensure more of the right people with the right skills are available at the right time and in the right places to serve communities in a manner that reflects the way people now live their lives. The review of Public Counters has contributed to this with Police Scotland committed to maximising police officers on the street and in communities working to keep people safe and to provide the high standards of service the public expects.
“Police Scotland has introduced a range of new ways for communities to contact them, including enhanced local policing, the new 101 non-emergency number and a strong national and local online presence. Along with the telephone, this is now how most people contact the police.
“All divisions now have the facility for members of the public to make appointments for police officers to visit them at their convenience to report crime, accidents or other matters requiring a police response.”
