Business leaders have warned that the closure of police front desks will undermine efforts to revive town centres.
The Federation of Small Businesses criticised the Police Scotland move, stating it would sever links between the force and local companies.
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, Murdo Fraser, believes that plans for public counter closures within Fife and Perth and Kinross are poorly thought out and illustrative of national priorities trumping local concerns.
Cllr Caroline Shiers who represents the Blairgowrie and Glens ward, feels that the loss of an open and transparent police force could create real problems in her ward.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“During consultation for a single police force, the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee heard warnings from several key stakeholders including Reform Scotland, who believed that there was no justification for taking a locally run service and running it from the centre.
“A major regeneration project is planned for Blairgowrie which is aimed at improving the lure of the town centre for residents, businesses and tourists.
“At a time when we should be trying our upmost to encourage businesses back to our high streets, we are instead putting them off by restricting access to the local police force. Shop owners want to know that their stores will be secure, and having an opportunity to discuss this with their local police officers provided reassurance.
“Closing courts and the public counters of police stations is not the best plan for increasing the commercial appeal of rural Scotland and the SNP would do well to recognise this.”
Commenting Cllr Caroline Shiers said:
“For Blairgowrie and Glens residents who have benefited from a proactive and engaged community policing team, these proposals will come as a major blow.
“The loss of a public service counter at Blairgowrie police station will essentially spell the end of an open and accessible police force in the town. Policing is such an important service and we need to ensure access to the service for everyone. Not everyone in our community is comfortable using computers or waiting for the 101 call to be answered. The particular civilian officer based in Blairgowrie has a fantastic rapport with the public and a wealth of local knowledge. As a local Councillor I have benefitted from being able to contact the station and get information or leave messages. There is a concern expressed to me by many local people that the reduction in support staff will lead to officers being tied to desks instead of being out in our communities doing the job they are there to do.
“We have seen so many changes in the community officers, for a number of reasons, over the past year and I will be seeking an assurance from Police Scotland that there is a meaningful commitment to community policing in the Blairgowrie area so that we can continue to enjoy the low levels of crime and feelings of security which we enjoy at the moment.
“I will certainly be taking the opportunity to feed comments I have had from local residents in to Police Scotland and hope that this consultation will result in the maintenance of the public counter in Blairgowrie.”