MPs back calls to keep police station in Paisley
Renfrewshire’s two MPs have added their voices to calls for a police station in Paisley to remain open to the public.
Gavin Newlands and Mhairi Black shared their views on the future of policing in the town as a consultation on police office closures came to an end.
Police Scotland announced in November last year that it wanted to close Mill Street police station and the police hub in Ferguslie Park.
The buildings are listed amongst 29 in Scotland that police chiefs say are no longer fit for purpose and should be shut.
Today, Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North said any replacement building should be centrally located and retain as many services as possible.
Speaking to the Express, he said: “Clearly, the way the public report crime and how that affects how Police Scotland react to that has changed enormously over recent years with the introduction of the 101 service and online reporting of incidents.
“Those changes will inevitably have an impact on how policing is delivered, not just here in Renfrewshire, but across the country.
“However, that shouldn’t change the fact that a physical presence in communities is paramount, both for the public and to ensure officers have a modern and supportive place of work when carrying out their public safety duties – which I know Police Scotland are committed to.
“That physical presence should include as full a range of services and investigative teams as possible while ensuring continuity of service to the wider community.
“It must also be accessible and integrated into the social infrastructure already in place in Paisley.”
The Express revealed on Saturday how more than £350,000 had been spent trying to both maintain and upgrade the Mill Street police station site.
A freedom of information request revealed £130,000 had been shelled out addressing leaks in the roof, the toilets and radiators in the past three financial years.
Problems were also recorded with the electrics and lighting.
Mhairi Black, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, said it was important to recognise the town centre building was “no longer fit for purpose”.
She said: “When I heard the news that Mill Street would be shutting its doors, my first thoughts were that this would be a real pressure on Paisley as this is the main public-facing hub for the police in Renfrewshire.
“However, Mill Street police station is a very old building and is unfortunately not fit for purpose anymore.
“The police share my thoughts that a public facing presence is needed in Renfrewshire and this should ideally remain in Paisley town centre.
“It is my understanding the police are currently trying to identify a suitable location in Paisley and if this is not possible then they will look to relocate elsewhere, however, this will be in Renfrewshire.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police Scotland inherited a very large and ageing estate, much of which was not fit for purpose, with high maintenance costs and environmental inefficiencies.
“We recognise the need for a local policing service for the people of Paisley and its surrounding towns and a police presence in the area will continue.
“We are considering a number of options for future premises and that includes co-location with partners to improve collaboration and deliver more integrated services.”
Police share my thoughts that a public facing presence is needed Mhairi Black