Police could join firefighters

Plan to share accommodation

Police officers in Cambuslang could relocate to Cambuslang Gate or the town’s fire station, it has been revealed.

The idea of sharing office space with other public agencies in the town has been put forward as a third potential option in the consultation on the long-term future of policing in the town.

And it has won support from Cambuslang Community Council.

Members of the group who met with Chief Inspector Geraldine McSherry and Inspector Jim Gillespie last week say they feel reassured Police Scotland is considering a number of options, not just the complete closure of the Tabernacle street building.

Police Scotland confirmed it wanted to close Cambuslang Police Station in April, stating it could not sustain it and the Rutherglen office.

But Cambuslang Community Council has been fighting to retain a physical police presence in the town and say a shared office with other agencies could be a good compromise.

John Bachtler, treasurer of the community council, said: “We were encouraged that according to CI McSherry, several options for the future of Cambuslang Police Station were being considered, and that one of these was the idea of a shared facility in the town centre.

“We appreciate that there are cost pressures on the local police service, which is why we suggested establishing a police office in Cambuslang Gate where premises, services and staff can be shared.

“We believe that the senior police officers we met are genuinely committed to making the new community policing model work in Cambuslang. They also promised to keep us informed throughout the process of decision-making from here onwards.”

Inspector Gillespie said: “As part of the on-going review of police estates a number of options are being considered which includes the potential to co-locate facilities with partners.

“We will continue to engage with and work closely with the local authority, other agencies and community groups to ensure we deliver the best possible policing services to the people of Cambuslang and surrounding areas.”

At the meeting Inspector Jim Gillespie updated community councillors on the roll out of the new community policing model.

The shake-up sees a dedicated team of officers take sole responsibility for policing in each of Rutherglen and Cambuslang’s four ward areas.

David Thomson, chairman of the community council, added: “We were assured that there will be regular patrols on foot and by bike on the Main Street and in the surrounding area.

“The Cambuslang West police team will get to know each of the businesses and ensure that police are visibly present during the evenings and other times when there is a risk of anti-social behaviour.

“We were told that the police will also be doing more to deal with vandalism and drinking in Cambuslang Park and Holmhills Wood Community Park.”