Island police counters spared worst of cuts 10/2/14
Plans to reduce opening hours at island police stations will not be as drastic as
first feared.
Benbecula police station will be open on part time hours to the public under a drive
for £60 million savings following a review of Police Scotland operations.
Originally, its front desk was earmarked to be axed completely under a cost cutting
plan.
Islanders would not be able to go in to lodge driving documents, hand in property
or report a crime or road accidents face-to-face.
Local officers will still be based at the Balivanich station but the front counter
services - where people can speak to police staff in person - will be restricted
to between 9am to 12.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Meanwhile, the front desk at Stornoway police station will extend its public opening
hours to midnight.
Its 24-hour reception service was reduced to a 8am to 8pm last year despite 19%,
or 22 visits, being made in the evenings.
Now it will have counter staff on duty from 7am to midnight, seven days a week.