Sixteen police stations to close-two in Far North

Lybster and Bettyhill police stations close under review but force will still be with you

THE Northern Joint Police Board agreed the closure of a number of police stations in order to avoid a further reduction in police staff numbers and to maintain officers at highest possible levels within communities.

This enables the Force to meet the reduced budget for 2011-12, whilst retaining officer numbers above a minimum of 761 for the coming year.

The proposals identified a total of 16 stations across the Highlands and Islands which could be closed, with alternative service provision put in place to maintain a visible police presence in these communities. These police stations are Scalloway, Dunrossness, Stromness, Bettyhill, Lybster, Evanton, Cromarty, Barvas, Carloway, Ness, Tarbert, Broadford, Spean Bridge, Beauly, Drumnadrochit and Ardersier.
In line with this decision, Bettyhill Police Station will be closed from 31 March 2011.
Area Commander Matthew Reiss said: “Police officers will still be visible and accessible and working within the community from a shared reception point at the service point at the Naver TeleCentre, Bettyhill. If you wish to speak to an officer please contact the Bettyhill service point or telephone Wick Police Station on 01955 603551.”
A change to reception hours at some police stations has also been agreed and front counter reception hours at the following stations will be as follows:
Thurso Police Station reception will be open 8am to 8pm 7 days per week
Tain and Dornoch Police Station receptions will be open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Outside the designated opening hours of police stations an external telephone will be available to contact police for assistance for routine matters or emergencies. Police officers will remain on patrol in these areas as usual.
Deputy Chief Constable Andy Cowie said: “In recent years Northern Constabulary has carried out a significant amount of planning and preparation which puts us in a better position than many other forces or organisations to deal with the challenging years ahead. We are already highly efficient and have maximised resources into frontline policing. The measures taken to rationalise our estate and reception services allow us to retain the highest possible number of officers in our communities.”
Both Bettyhill and Lybster Police Stations will be disposed on the open market in due course.