The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Thin blue line stretched as tourists return north
● Constable covering sizeable corner of Sutherland is shielding
Residents living in one of the biggest police beats in Europe have voiced concerns over cover because the local constable is shielding.
With an area of 900 square miles, north-west Sutherland has been compared to the fictional “Lochdubh” patch covered by TV bobby Hamish Macbeth.
But these days, with four million visitors to the region each year and 70,000 alone descending on Smoo Cave, the area is not just a peaceful backwater, especially with the tourist season restarting today.
The current officer, based in Rhiconich, is shielding from coronavirus – meaning Tongue, at 30 miles away, or Lochinver, at 52 miles away, are the closest stations.
Durness businessman Robbie Mackay said scant police resources have always been a concern in the area.
He recalled an incident in his bunkhouse, when the police had to be called.
“They came from south of Ullapool, one and a half hours away, and then needed backup which had to come from Tain, more than 80 miles away.”
Mr Mackay owns the shop, post office and petrol station, and a number of accommodation rentals.
“I heard an alarm go off at 1am the other night and thought if there was no officer in Tongue or Lochinver, they would have had to come from Ullapool, 72 miles away,” he said.
“Tourists have been flocking in and problems of wild camping have begun, so it would be nice to have a bobby nearer.”
Christine Mackenzie, who runs the Spar in Kinlochbervie, said: “The worry is if tourists are camping in the wrong place and leaving mess and litter, things the police can have a word with them about.”
MP Jamie Stone has written to Justice Minister Humza Yousaf asking what plans Police Scotland has to relocate additional police staff to north-west Sutherland to cover the area as tourism reopens.
He said: “Mr Yousaf said support will come locally and be provided by resources from elsewhere in the command area, wider division and other national departments as required.”
Sutherland councillor and hotelier Hugh Morrison said he had recently been told that police in Ullapool, Lochinver and Tongue would be doing as many regular patrols as they can efficiently manage, and that traffic patrols would also be coming up from Dingwall and Inverness.
Chief Inspector Jamie Wilson, North Highland area commander, said: “The area of Rhiconich is managed by Dingwall and Wester Ross policing team with support from officers at the main hub in Dingwall as well as Gairloch, Ullapool and Lochinver. We have a comprehensive and flexible resource plan in place which allows us to adapt to specific demands and ensure our communities are policed appropriately.
“The Highlands and Islands road policing unit is based in Dingwall and carries out daily patrols across the west as part of our ongoing efforts to improve the safety of the road network.”
The trap of taking for granted those things on our doorstep which others travel great distances at considerable expense to see and savour is an all too easy one to fall into.
After months in lockdown many of us will be yearning to get away from it all for a bit, but perhaps also bemoaning the fact our dream destinations are effectively off-limits because of the quarantine rules in place to guard against a coronavirus resurgence.
But perhaps we can find the freedom we crave closer to home, in the shape of the multitude of attractions the north-east has to offer not just visitors, but locals too.
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire between them boast amazing hospitality, fantastic beaches, spectacular scenery and internationally famous landmarks.
Wherever you live in the region, all are within easy striking distance, and even for those across the border in Moray and further afield in the Highlands the northeast experience is just a day trip away.
All this is particularly important to bear in mind as local businesses begin the job of trying to bounce back after having their spring and much of their summer season wiped out by the Covid-19 pandemic.
If ever there was a time to remind yourself of everything that’s great about the city and shire – this is it.
“Particularly important to bear in mind as local businesses begin the job of trying to bounce back”