Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for the Lothian Region Sue Webber has slammed the SNP’s “sustained neglect” of policing in Edinburgh.
Sue Webber MSP’s comments come after the Scottish Conservatives uncovered that over 300 police stations across Scotland currently require repairs.
The Freedom of Information response received by the party shows that in Edinburgh 21 stations are in need of repair or have been declared unfit for purpose. The response also showed that almost 100 police stations have been sold off since 2016.
Sue Webber MSP says it is little wonder that officer morale is so low when staff are often being asked to work in stations in Edinburgh that are rundown and in a “dreadful” state.
Sue Webber MSP says successive SNP justice secretaries have failed to prioritise community policing which is only harming efforts to tackle crime in Edinburgh and keep local people safe.
Sue Webber MSP added that it “speaks volumes” about the SNP’s cuts to policing budgets that the force has still not got the funds to repair stations in Edinburgh despite selling off nearly 100 buildings in the last decade.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP Sue Webber said: “These shocking figures expose the SNP’s sustained neglect of policing in Edinburgh.
“Local people will be appalled that so many police stations need repairs or have been declared unfit for purpose.
“It speaks volumes that, despite the SNP’s centralised police force selling almost 100 buildings since 2016, they still do not have the funds to carry out these repairs due to savage SNP cuts to police budgets.
“It is simply unacceptable that our dedicated officers in Edinburgh are having to work in stations that are often in a dreadful state and completely rundown. It is little wonder officer morale is so low when officers are having to work under those conditions.
“Failing to invest in the upkeep of stations in Edinburgh only harms community policing efforts which are already being pushed beyond breaking point as a result of the SNP overseeing a drop in officer numbers.
“Rather than continuing to neglect frontline policing in Edinburgh, SNP ministers must finally address these issues and support the work of rank-and-file officers.”
