Plans to axe Paisley police station shelved but future remains 'under review'
The facility on Mill Street will now be subject to the 10-year Estates Masterplan review.
Plans to find a new police station for Paisley cops have been kicked into the long grass 18 months after chiefs announced proposals to close Mill Street station.
Police Scotland has confirmed it has no active plans to relocate officers from the town-centre building which is deemed no longer 'fit for purpose'.
The news comes just days after the force said it will dispose of the town's Ferguslie police station, which officers vacated in September last year.
Both Mill Street and Ferguslie Park were listed among 29 police stations across Scotland which management said in October 2023 were no longer fit for purpose and should be closed.
It confirmed in January 2024 that it was looking at sharing space with a partner agency such as Renfrewshire Council.
But a spokesperson confirmed no such agreement had been made and the Mill Street site is now being reviewed as part of the 10-year Police Scotland Estates Masterplan – which has identified neighbouring Greenock police station as a priority.
The Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'The future of Paisley police station is currently under review as part of the estates masterplan.
'We recognise the need for a local policing service for the people of Paisley and its surrounding towns and a police presence in the area will continue.
'We are committed to creating an estate that is best for our officers and staff, meets our operational requirements and supports for the communities we serve.
'Until a replacement solution is identified, Police Scotland will make any necessary repairs to the current station in Paisley to ensure it continues to meet health and safety requirements.'
The estates masterplan outlines a complete new model for policing going forward.
It would see frontline police officers based in 'deployment hubs' from where they will collect their cars and equipment before starting shifts in the community.
Individual communities would then each have a community policing base or touch-down point.
This could be anything from a drop-in at a community centre to a retained police station, depending on need.
But Neil Bibby MSP said Police Scotland must commit to a dedicated police station in Scotland's biggest town.
The Paisley-based MSP for West Scotland said: 'I have been clear from the outset that the closure of the Mill Street Police HQ would be completely unacceptable unless it was replaced on a like-for-like basis, which included 24/7 public counter access, a CID base and a town-centre location.
'Clearly, underinvestment from the Scottish Government has driven the closure of Ferguslie Park station and is preventing a new or revamped police station in Paisley town centre too.
'Meanwhile, the SNP government is spending £1 billion on a new Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow after costs for that project have spiralled out of control.
'The police are doing the best job they can in difficult circumstances but aren't getting the support they need and the people of Paisley are paying the price for the SNP's incompetence and wrong priorities.'
The Paisley Daily Express revealed in March 2024 how police chiefs spent more than £350,000 upgrading facilities at Mill Street police station before earmarking it for closure.
Thousands had been spent addressing leaks in the 1980s prefmises, with serious leaks reported in the roof, radiators and toilets, while electrical issues were also a major concern, with money spent on lighting, air conditioning and water and fire risk assessments.
Outlining the reasons for the disposal of the similarly dilapidated Ferguslie police station, Divisional Commander, chief superintendent Rhona Fraser said: 'Ferguslie Park is two miles from Paisley police station and three miles from Johnstone police station.
'Maintaining three buildings so close together is not necessary for operational requirements or financially sustainable.
'By merging resources, we can ensure our focus remains on delivering frontline policing and enhancing community safety, rather retaining underutilised buildings.
'Disposing of a building does not mean a withdrawal from the community.
'It is a key step in our estate masterplan, modernising and investing in police facilities to better support the needs of modern policing.
'Our commitment remains the same, with officers continuing to provide a visible and high-quality service.'
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