Doctor will see you now ... and the policeman

A TRIP to the GP usually involves patients discussing aches and pains with their doctor, picking up a prescription or booking a flu jab.

But visitors to the medical centre in one Scots town will soon also be able to report crimes.

For police officers in Largs, Ayrshire, are about to base themselves in a doctor’s surgery.

The local station, which has served the public for more than 100 years, is set to close and, instead, officers will be based in the nearby Brooksby Medical Centre.

Last night, critics warned that the move may not be appropriate or safe, as it could increase the likelikeep hood of criminals coming into contact with members of the public.

From Wednesday, officers covering the North Coast and Cumbraes will move to the GP surgery. Police Scotland said its station on Court Street had ‘outlived its purpose’ and was in a state of disrepair.

Although the new premises are smaller, the force said no jobs would be lost. It added that there would be no change to the way officers patrolled the area or respond to calls – and opening hours would stay the same.

The move is part of a strategy in which police stations will close and officers will move to ‘virtual stations’ – in cafes, supermarkets, libraries, medical centres and community centres. The aim is to use technology to allow police to up to date with callouts and crime reports while being available to speak to the public.

Police Scotland bosses believe it will modernise policing and make officers visible and accessible.

They also said it would save money by allowing many old and costly buildings to be sold.

The Police Scotland Estates Strategy, updated in June, outlines the intention to ‘increase community bases for local officers and to identify more opportunities to co-locate and collaborate with key partners’.

But last night David Hamilton, vice-chair of the Scottish Police Federation, the union representing rank-and-file officers, said: ‘As a general principle, we are not in favour of co-locations such as this.

‘There are certain business processes and transactions that go on in police stations that would not be appropriate for co-location.

‘Any of these moves, such as what is happening in Largs, needs to be properly risk-assessed to make sure the business at the police station is not in conflict with the other users of those buildings.’

The force said health and safety checks had been undertaken.

Chief Inspector Brian Shaw, local area commander, said: ‘Our new, modern base in Brisbane Road will provide a much-needed, improved experience for all our visitors and a much healthier working environment for my officers.

‘We will be in the same building as NHS and North Ayrshire Council colleagues and this base will allow us to work with our partner agencies more effectively.’

‘This move needs to be properly risk-assessed’