Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said that new proposals from Police Scotland over police counter closures are small concessions. In a report by the Chief Constable to the Scottish Police Authority today, Police Scotland revealed that a total 804 responses were received to its online consultation on plans to close 65 police counters across Scotland, with proposals to reduce the opening hours of many more.

The report puts forward proposals to extend opening hours at Banchory to 8am to 6pm seven days a week but still plans to close Aboyne, additional hours have already been proposed for Ballater to increase the hours to 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Commenting on the proposals, Ms McInnes said:

“These proposals are small concessions. It remains the case that 62 stations across Scotland will close their doors to the public. Thousands of hours of front desk provision will be lost across many communities. Liberal Democrats have strongly advocated the need to retain these critical frontline services and Police Scotland has at last conceded that social media is not the best way to conduct local police work.

“The SNP Government and Police Scotland can be in no doubt about the extent of public outcry over these ill-thought-out proposals. The majority of consultation responses came from members of the public and locally organised campaigns. The Chief Constable’s report makes clear that some of the consultation data is still to be analysed. Until all of the views put forward by members of the public are considered no final decisions should be taken on the proposed closures.”

Local Banchory councillor Karen Clark commented “I am pleased the Chief constable has seen fit to suggest increasing the hours in Banchory. This is an issue I have been campaign on and I know the people of Banchory will be pleased with this increased service but the increase in hours here in Banchory and Ballater should not be at the cost of hours to Aboyne.”

Sir Robert Smith MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine added “Though I am pleased to see the increase in hours in Banchory I am concerned at the closure of Aboyne. It is over 12 miles west of Banchory and 11 miles east of Ballater. The people in Aboyne and surrounding area need a police counter service in their own right. Liberal Democrats will continue to argue against the SNP’s centralisation agenda which has led to the loss of this local service.”