‘Give councils greater role in local policing’

A MONTROSE councillor has called for local authorities to have a greater role in local policing.

David May is concerned the force is not being subjected to proper democratic scrutiny at national level.

He is backing a Reform Scotland report, which has called for a greater role for councils in Scottish policing in a bid to increase local accountability.

Reform Scotland compiled a briefing paper based on its response to a Government consultation on strategies for the country’s police force.

It called for the return of council funding for the police, along with reforms to local government.

“I agree with the Reform Scotland thinktank, which called for a greater role for councils in Scottish policing,” said Mr May.

“More local accountability is needed as it is certainly not working at national level.

“Local Angus issues and priorities need to be identified and implemented more than ever.”

Mr May called on Police Scotland to implement the thinktank’s briefing paper as soon as possible.

However, the Scottish Government insisted that the “long-standing principle” of police being accountable to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and communities rather than politicians was the right one.

A spokesman said that policing continued to “perform excellently”, with recorded crime in Scotland at a 41-year low.

He added: “The Scottish Government has already commissioned a review of governance from the chair of the SPA, which was published in March, setting out 30 recommendations for further strengthening oversight of policing and we are working closely with the SPA to deliver on these.”