Staff loss ‘hits front-line work’

Fears have been raised that Moray police officers will be diverted from front-line duties to plug the gap left by support staff leaving the force.

New Police Scotland figures have revealed that nine police support workers have taken voluntary redundancy or early retirement from the Moray division in the last 10 months.

At least another nine staff are considering these options, according to a Freedom of Information (FoI) response. This comes as the national force consults on plans to close the public counter at Fochabers police station.

Highlands and Islands MSP David Stewart, who filed the FoI request, said he was concerned that the departure of the staff would also mean the loss of a “wealth of local knowledge”.

Mr Stewart, a Labour representative, said: “Of course, support staff are entitled to exercise their right and take voluntary redundancy, but I just wonder how far the door is being held open for them. I am sure that the nine that have left and the other nine who are considering this option all had meaningful and important roles within Moray

“Who will be doing these roles now?”

division supporting operational officers. Who will be doing these roles now? We believe such roles can only now be carried out by police officers.”

The issue was described as “extremely worrying” by councillor Douglas Ross, who chairs Moray Council’s police and fire committee.

Mr Ross said: “Clearly, these individuals have to take the deal which suits their circumstances but it raises many concerns about the tasks these staff undertook.”

No one from Police Scotland was available to comment last night due to the public holiday.

A Scottish Government spokesman declined to comment on the issue, saying it was an operational matter for Police Scotland.