The SNP’s Justice Secretary has insisted that “policing will continue on a safe and secure basis” amid fears that cuts to services could lead to deaths.
David Kennedy, the general Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, the union for rank-and-file officers has warned that “people may die” if there are further cuts to services.
He stressed that it could create a situation where “people actually die because that’s the harsh reality if there are not enough police officers to get to calls that they are meant to attend”.
The Herald exclusively revealed that hundreds of probationary officers are being cut in order to make savings in this financial year.
Read more: Police Scotland to cut 200 officers from recruitment intake
There are also reports that up to 30 police stations could be closed in order for Police Scotland to making savings, with concerns raised over community safety.
Asked about the reported police station closures, SNP Justice Secretary Angela Constance insisted that “overall responsibility for managing the police estate is for the chief constable under Scottish Police Authority scrutiny”.
She added: “As approved by the SPA, it is for Police Scotland to consult on and announce the details of any proposed estate changes.
“The Scottish Government is aware of the Police Scotland estates strategy that seeks to deliver modern, fit-for-purpose police buildings which are co-located with strategic partners and which meet the needs of 21st century operational policing.”
The cabinet secretary added that “to date over 60 co-locations have been delivered”.
Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie asked Ms Constance if she was “concerned by comments from the Scottish Police Federation who warn people ‘may die’ as a result of cuts in police officer numbers”.
Read more: Scottish Police Federation in warning over officer number cuts
But the minister told MSPs that “this government has a good record of investing in Police Scotland”.
She added: “While there are challenges ahead, we can continue to have confidence that policing is a priority for this government and that policing will continue on a safe and secure basis.”
Pressed over potential budget cuts to Police Scotland, Ms Constance told Holyrood that in the current financial year, “the Government increased investment in policing by £80 million, which represents a 6.3 per cent increase”.
She said: “It is imperative that members look at the 2019 police estate strategy, in which Police Scotland is up front about modernising and, where appropriate, rationalising its estate.
“When Police Scotland has sold off premises, the money has been reinvested in its estate, because it wants to ensure that policing and the police footprint are effective, efficient and fit for the future and that the estate provides a good place for police officers and staff to work in.
“The estate should also be appropriately visible to members of the public and allow for collaboration with other public services.”
Ms Constance has suggested that she supports co-location of public services, which could be stepped up if Police Scotland does confirm stations are to close.
Read more: Labour urges SNP to 'come clean' over plans to close police stations
She said: “A well-established example of co-location can be found in Livingston—in my constituency, by chance—where Police Scotland is one of seven partners in the West Lothian civic centre.
“It works alongside the local authority, the Crown Office, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the health and social care partnership.
“Co-location with suitable partners makes best use of the public sector estate and, most importantly, offers the opportunity for increased visibility, closer working and increased collaboration between Police Scotland and its partners, which will deliver better outcomes for individuals and our communities.
“It is to Police Scotland’s credit that it has, on 64 occasions, moved to co-location, with plans for a further 22 such facilities.”
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