Officers’ federation fear station closure could cause Safety and crimefighting issues

The closure of Portlethen Police Station could cause safety issues for officers and hinder crime prevention in the town, the Scottish Police Federation has warned.

Police Scotland is pushing ahead with the plans, which are detailed in a report due to be submitted to the Scottish Police Authority to consider for approval.

The proposal follows a national review of the police service’s estates.

Senior officers claim that Portlethen’s police office “no longer meets operational requirements” and “efforts to find a suitable alternative in the town have been unsuccessful”.

But David Threadgold, a serving police officer and chair of the federation’s north area committee, said the closure could send the wrong message to organised crime groups.

He explained: “Our concerns extend beyond local policing into national movements of criminals and their response to the removal of police stations in particular areas – especially one as close to Aberdeen, which is a very fruitful market for those who choose to deal drugs.

“What kind of message does it send to them if you remove the police station one stop before the city that you intend to peddle your drugs in?”

The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) also criticised proposals for officers from Stonehaven to provide policing services to Portlethen.

Mr Threadgold said: “Should officers require assistance in Portlethen, that will come from Nigg, which is in the south of the city of Aberdeen.

“That is a red herring because it is a different radio channel, so you’re not hearing what is going on there.

“There is an officer safety element to this if officers in

Portlethen have got an issue that they need assistance with.

“It is not coming from Nigg unless somebody in the control room specifically directs them to go to that call. You’re not going to pick it up by overhearing it through the radio.”

The organisation representing rank and file officers said Portlethen’s public should be concerned about a potential diluting of their policing provision.

It also suggested closure of Portlethen Police Station would lead to a decline in community engagement.

Mr Threadgold added: “Portlethen will become a satellite of the hub in Stonehaven and the public will only get a resource should they absolutely need it. It will become absolutely reactive. There’ll be little or no proactive work that takes place by police officers in Portlethen if this place closes.”

A campaign to save

Portlethen Police Station from closure has been supported by Tory MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine Andrew Bowie.

Mr Bowie told The Press and Journal: “Portlethen is just one of a long line of stations across the northeast which are in line for the axe – despite its major benefit to the area. The north-east is impacted by crime like ‘cuckooing’ and county lines drug dealing. So it’s vital that local policing is very visible here and this building is of strategic importance.”

Local area commander Chief Inspector Jackie Knight said: “Whilst I appreciate local concerns, I can provide a reassurance that the proposed closure will not impact negatively on the policing service provided to the town nor our commitment to keeping local residents safe.”

Around 140 police buildings have shut since the amalgamation of Police Scotland in 2013.

David Threadgold and Andrew Bowie at Portlethen.