Threat to lifeline

A NATIONAL scheme to equip police vehicles with life-jackets and safety lines is under threat because of health and safety issues.

But Iain MacKinnon of safety charity, LochWatch Lochawe, said he was shocked that life-saving measures put in place after four men drowned on the loch in 2009, were under threat.

Police Scotland’s John Gillies, director of people and development, said: ‘Following the Health and Safety board meeting in August, it has been agreed that any final decision on the use of throw lines is deferred while we undertake a further review.

‘We propose to bring this back to the next Police Scotland health and safety board which will meet before the end of the year.’