Call to keep emergency call centres

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has again called on Police Scotland to reverse its plans to close the emergency call centres in Inverness and Aberdeen.

While plans have been put on hold as the review into call centre operations by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Scotland (HMICS) is carried out, Mr McArthur has argued that Police Scotland are wrong to pre-judge the outcome by stating that the closures will still go ahead regardless.

The HMICS review, which was announced by Justice Secretary Michael Matheson in the aftermath of widespread public concern about the failure of Police Scotland to respond effectively to a recent fatal car crash on the M9, is set to report in October.

Commenting, Mr McArthur said: “There have long been fears that the decision by Police Scotland to close control rooms in Inverness and Aberdeen would lead to a loss of local knowledge and experience.

“These fears have been reignited by the tragic events around the M9 crash. I am pleased that the Justice Secretary has heeded calls from Scottish Liberal Democrats and others to invite HMICS to carry out an investigation of control room operations and it is vital that this is done thoroughly and without prejudice.

“It is inappropriate, therefore, for Police Scotland to state that they will wait to hear the outcome of the HMICS review but have every intention of carrying on with their closure plans regardless. This shows a lack of sensitivity to the needs of local communities and to wider public concern about the impact that these control room closures could have.

“Having set up the inquiry, the Justice Secretary must also make clear that he does not expect Police Scotland to pre-judge the outcome.”