Police move to Square should be reassuring to folk
I was delighted to hear that a date had been set for the opening of the new police office in Crieff.
I congratulate Police Scotland and Perth and Kinross Council on finding a way to deliver public services from shared facilities and it really has to be an example of the direction of travel for delivery of public services across towns in rural areas.
The police station will relocate from King Street to the Perth and Kinross Council building at James Square.
This provides a great opportunity for enhanced cooperation between the police and the council, which can only improve the current delivery of services.
With the A85 running through Crieff and officers serving a huge rural hinterland from this office the prospect of no police presence in the town would present very real concerns for residents and businesses and this confirmation of the opening date will give some reassurance regarding service delivery and is very welcome news.
I hope this will reassure residents of Crieff, and the whole of Strathearn, who have got in touch with me regarding this issue, that a visible police presence will continue.
Unfortunately, since 2013 when the Scottish Government centralised the police force, rural communities have suffered greatly from a lack of resources and manpower.
Although this is a good news story in Crieff, the catastrophic effects of losing
This provides a great opportunity for enhanced cooperation between the police and the council, which can only improve the current services
local police units reflects a wider issue affecting rural communities all over Scotland.
I was pleased to read of efforts by the local community in Crieff to ensure that community groups can work together to build on the opportunities presented by a move to more local shopping, the staycation holiday market and ensuring that the town is an even better place in which to live, work and shop.
If we have learned anything over the course of the past 18 months it is that our open spaces, our communities and the support networks that they provide to those who need them most are to be cherished and we need to work to develop them.
I applaud the efforts of those who are working to ensure that Crieff can develop in the future and I will do what I can to give support as needed.