OIC calls for delay on control room closure plans

Orkney Islands Council is calling for a postponement of plans to close the police control room in Inverness.

The council has opposed the closure since the proposals were first announced and argues that the control room staff’s expert knowledge of the Highlands and Islands plays a vital role in saving lives.

Under the closure plans, 999 calls and non-emergency 101 calls from Orkney and other parts of the Highlands and Islands will be routed instead to control rooms in the central belt.

This is due to come into effect later this year.

But in a letter to chief constable Sir Stephen House, the council is asking for work on the reorganisation to be put on hold pending a national review of the way calls to Police in Scotland are handled.

Council convener Steven Heddle said: “The Inverness control room staff have invaluable experience and knowledge gained over many years of lifesaving work.

“Their understanding of the Highlands and Islands, an area comparable in size to Belgium, ensures that the police response to emergencies and other incidents across the region is first rate.

“Following recent well publicised events, Police Scotland needs to demonstrate that the public can have confidence in a centralised control room system.

“This is why we are asking for a postponement until the findings of the national review are published.”