Lanarkshire MSP slams Scottish Government's 'sustained neglect' of police stations
Graham Simpson's comments come after the Scottish Conservatives uncovered that over 300 police stations across Scotland currently require repairs.
A Lanarkshire MSP has slammed the Scottish Government's 'sustained neglect' of policing in Lanarkshire.
Graham Simpson's comments come after the Scottish Conservatives uncovered that over 300 police stations across Scotland currently require repairs.
The Freedom of Information response received by the party shows that in Lanarkshire 26 stations are in need of repair or have been declared unfit for purpose.
The response also shows that almost 100 police stations have been sold off since 2016.
Central Scotland Tory list MSP Simpson said: 'These shocking figures expose the SNP's sustained neglect of policing in Central Scotland.
'Local people will be appealed that so many police stations needs repairs or have been declared unfit for purpose.
'It speaks volumes that, despite the SNP's centralised police force selling almost 100 buildings since 2016, they still do not have the funds to carry out these repairs due to savage SNP cuts to police budgets.
'It is simply unacceptable that our dedicated officers in Lanarkshire are having to work in stations that are often in a dreadful state and completely rundown.
'It is little wonder officer morale is so low when officers are having to work under those conditions.
'Failing to invest in the upkeep of stations in Lanarkshire only harms community policing efforts which are already being pushed beyond breaking point as a result of the SNP overseeing a drop in officer numbers.
'Rather than continuing to neglect frontline policing in Central Scotland, SNP ministers must finally address these issues and support the work of rank-and-file officers.'
David Threadgold, chair of the Scottish Police Federation, had previously warned that large areas of the country becoming 'policing deserts'.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland said Police Scotland 'inherited a very large and ageing estate,' of which a 'substantial proportion...was no longer fit for purpose'.
He added: 'We know police buildings can be iconic and no decisions are taken lightly or without consultation, however we cannot afford to maintain our estate in its current size or condition.
'We are increasingly sharing locations with other agencies to give our communities the service they need and deserve and to provide better accommodation for officers and staff.
'We have 64 co-locations, representing around a fifth of our estate, with more planned in the coming years and such joint working can deliver more effective service at better value to the public.
'At the same time, we have enabled our officers to spend more time in communities through the roll-out of mobile devices.'
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: 'While decisions around police stations are operational matters for the Chief Constable, we have more than tripled the policing capital budget since 2017-18 and we are investing a record £1.64 billion for policing this year. This includes £70 million of capital funding to invest in resources and estates.
'Police Scotland continues to dispose of properties no longer fit for purpose or required, while at the same time reinvesting in purpose-built properties to deliver modern premises.'
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