Andrew Bowie MP once again calls for halt to proposed closure of Portlethen Police Station.
In a letter to Police Scotland Andrew states that whilst he is “sad to hear that the position remains unchanged” he is still hoping that “an opportunity arises for a rethink on current proposals”
Andrew previously met with representatives from Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Federation as well as writing to Ministers in the Scottish Government. He has continually raised concerns over the impact on local policing and the potential increase in crime that a closure could bring.
In July of this year Andrew warned:
“I believe that a local police presence is vital to deter crime and provide support to the community, especially in a large settlement like Portlethen. I fear that removing this presence will result in a reduction of police visibility in the community, a reduction in the number of crimes reported, and risk an increase in crime within in local area.”
Andrew has been campaigning on the issue since becoming aware of the proposed closure back in 2021, in the summer of that year, following a meeting with the Scottish Police Federation he said:
“The motivation for this closure appears to be about saving money, not service improvement. During my meeting with the Scottish Police Federation, I was told the Portlethen office has enough work to satisfy two officers on a shift. If we were to consider the Portlethen situation as part of the national picture we would see very quickly where the logic of closing the station and removing a police presence altogether – falls down”
SNP Austerity to Blame
“I know that Police Scotland wouldn’t want to close a local police station, and I’m sure they would rather increase not decrease the number of officers in Portlethen, decisions like this are a direct result of SNP Austerity, it’s their cuts that are impacting front line public services, we’re seeing the same thing with the NHS and Local Councils. The SNP have had devolved power over public services and their respective budgets for well over a decade now and whilst they continue to point the finger at Westminster, the reality is that they and only they have forced austerity on the people of Scotland due to their spending decisions”
