Changes in local police station's hours

[Nwicker60]

Will provide the most effective front-line policing

THERE are changes on the way or police stations at Wick and Thurso among others in the Highlands. New opening times will come into effect in April for eight of Northern Constabulary’s fifty police stations in an effort to provide the most effective and visible front-line police service within existing police budgets. Lerwick, Wick, Fort William, Dingwall and Stornoway front counters will no longer be open to the public 24 hours per day and there will be a slight reduction in reception opening hours for Thurso, Alness and Portree. Although most police station receptions will be closed to the public over night, local officers will still be working out of the stations and actively patrolling communities. Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Julian Innes said: "Police will still maintain a visible presence in communities, working out of the stations, shared premises or on mobile patrols. "Reception hours of stations will be tailored to actual demand as 95% of requests for service are made by telephone rather than counter calls. "We encourage people to contact us during opening hours where they have a routine enquiry. However, if at any time people require a police response, that response will still be provided. "People can still dial 999 in an emergency and for non-emergencies can still contact police on a 24 hour basis by telephoning their nearest police station or 101 the national non-emergency number. Any stations without 24 hours reception staff have external telephones available to the public so they can get immediate assistance if required. Officers are always available 24/7 if they are required. He went on to say: "Northern Constabulary is already highly efficient and have maximised resources into frontline policing over the past few years, which has allowed the Force to maintain Police Officer numbers at the highest possible level and continue to provide visible, localised policing services across the Highlands and Islands area.â€� Ends Station Current Official Hours New Hours from 1 April Lerwick 24hrs – 7 days a week (0800 to 2000 since spring 2012 due to staffing capacity) 0800-2000 (7 days a week) Stornoway 24hrs – 7 days a week 0800-2000 (7 days a week) Wick 24hrs – 7 days a week 0800-2000 (7 days a week) Thurso 0800-2000 (7 days a week) 0900-1700 (7 days a week) Alness 0800-2000 (7 days a week) 0900-1700 (Mon - Fri) Dingwall 24hrs – 7 days a week 0800-2000 (7 days a week) Fort William 24hrs – 7 days a week 0800-2000 (7 days a week) Portree 0800-2000 (7 days a week) 0900-1700 (Mon – Fri)