“Policing reform will not affect officer numbers”

On a visit to the county today, Tuesday, Scotland’s justice secretary gave a commitment to maintain police numbers in Orkney.

Kenny MacAskill met with senior officers, police representatives, and agency partners to discuss proposed policing reform.

With concerns locally that numbers of officers may decline in any shake-up, Mr MacAskill assured: “I have been able to allay some concerns that they have had.

“A lot of this is fear of the unknown. No final decision has been made yet, but I can give them an assurance about maintaining police numbers.”