Panic stations

Concerns have been raised over new analysis showing 140 dedicated police stations and offices have been shut since Police Scotland was created in 2013.

The public can't have faith in a police service if they never see a police officer or can't actually talk to one face-to-face at a police station. It is no good having to travel ten or 15 miles to a police station that is actually open and staffed. We need many of the closed police stations to be reopened and also more funding for more police officers. With the cost of living going up almost every day this can only lead to an increase in criminal activities. We need a proactive and modern police force to be able to respond to this.

William Hatton It’s absolutely disgraceful. Long gone are the days when you met the police walking the beat – you didn’t know when you would bump into them. Taking the police stations away has not only left communities abandoned, it stops the public from being able to visit to report matters. As an example, they took the police station in Dalkeith town centre and placed it outside the town. It’s not on a bus route and it’s hidden from view.

Adam Livingsone

The administration keeps “investing” in failed projects. Maybe that's where all the money has gone

Michael Gordon

It’s almost as if austerity is affecting Scotland…

Jane Loft

I’m not concerned. The police are little to no help nowadays so just close them all. Nobody has faith in the police now.

Gareth Ferrol

That’s a reassuring message to send to the public. The police are a total waste of time now. If there is an incident they flood an area with officers for a few days and they disappear again. They are very rarely seen on the beat – and don't even get me started with that daft helicopter! The vast vast majority of the public have no confidence in them. It looks like vigilantism beckons.

Peter Anderson

They used the same expression to close down hospitals: “not fit for purpose”. It’s a pity that expression isn't used for people’s low wages.

Emily Keenan Smith

It's the same in England. The service has been destroyed over the past 20 years.

Graham Alexander

As long as police numbers are maintained I don’t really care where they work out of. I want them on the streets.

Tommy Smith