Two Mid Argyll police offices to be sold following consultation

POLICE SCOTLAND has said it now plans to sell Tarbert and Inveraray police offices following a public engagement and review of its estate.

In an email read out at Lochgilphead Community Council’s meeting on Monday, Chief Inspector Marlene Baillie, area commander for Mid Argyll and Kintyre, said Inveraray police office ‘has been closed for over a year with no significant rise in crime or negative impact on the community. The officer’s post has been based at Lochgilphead. The intention therefore is to sell this police office.’

Similarly, Tarbert police office is only used periodically, and Chief Inspector Baillie continued: ‘The two officers who reside in the police houses work from Lochgilphead, although they cover Tarbert for local policing issues. The intention is to sell this police office and develop local police surgeries to allow the public to engage face to face with local officers.’

Due to the fact that Campbeltown police office has a number of vacant offices, Police Scotland has been ‘engaging with partners with a view to having them co-locate with them’.

CI Baillie said: ‘At this time the local Coastguard team has expressed interest in using this office space and work is presently ongoing to scope this proposal.’

She added that due to the age of the Lochgilphead office, which ‘does not support modern-day policing services’, Police Scotland will retain the current base and custody facilities, but will look for opportunities to relocate if a more modern facility, suitable for our requirements, becomes available.’

Lochgilphead Community Council convener Andrew Buntin welcomed news the town’s station would stay open. He said: ‘This was confirmation that Lochgilphead will not close, and we will have a police presence. This is a county town, so it is important to have that presence. We need a custodial facili- ty. It is an ugly old building, but it is not fit for purpose.’

Chief Inspector Baillie told The Advertiser: ‘We are committed to maintaining a presence within local com- munities across Argyll. However, it is vital to have an estate that supports modern working practices and also supports the delivery of a local police service that best meets local needs.’