[Scottish Parliament, 14.11.2024] Yesterday in the Scottish Parliament, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston raised concerns about the impact on local safety and crime reporting of reduced police numbers in rural and island communities.
Mr Halcro Johnston said:
“The last few years have seen the number of Police Scotland officers fall across the country.
“That puts increasing pressure on local policing, a problem that is only exacerbated by the remoteness and rurality of many communities across my Highlands and Islands region.
“That has led to some constituents raising concerns with me that reduced police numbers may mean that some more low-level crimes and incidents of antisocial behaviour are going uninvestigated.
“There is also the fear that this perceived lack of action on more minor offences risks people from actually reporting such incidents, meaning that crime stats do not represent the actual level of incidents on the ground.
“Despite officers’ best efforts, some of my constituents say they feel further away from policing cover than before, with confidence that incidents will be adequately investigated falling.
“The Justice Secretary’s response failed to address those concerns, and she also failed to recognise the particular challenges rural and island communities face due to reduced police presence.
“Nor did she acknowledge the real sense of isolation those living in more remote communities can feel when they cannot be sure Police Scotland have the resources available locally to respond to those incidents which, although minor, still cause real concern to those impacted.
“Strong local policing is essential to maintain safety and confidence, and our rural communities must not be left behind because of Scottish Government ministers in Edinburgh prioritising the Central Belt”.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The exchange between Jamie Halcro Johnston and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs is available here: https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/portfolio-questions-november-13-2024?clip_start=14:35:18&clip_end=14:37:04
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