Support to retain police public counters

A petition to retain access to local police offices in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth has received strong support from the public according to those behind it.

Over 1,000 people from across Cumbernauld and Kilsyth have signed up to MSP Mark Griffin and MP Gregg McClymont petition to retain access to local police offices.

The petition was set up following proposals to reduce public counter opening times at police stations in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.

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We previously reported that Police Scotland announced the plans following a nationwide review and they stress that the organisation’s aim is to provide a consistent and more efficient service in local communities,

They say there has been a significant reduction in the use of public counter services in Scotland in recent years, as alternative means of contacting police have developed and crime rates have fallen.

The plans would mean Cumbernauld police office would have a front counter service seven days a week, from 8am to 6pm, and Kilsyth police office will reduced its service to Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.

Mr Griffin said: “There has been a tremendous response to the petition, with people from across our area signing up and calling on the chief constable to review the planned cuts. Local people recognise that it is unacceptable in an area the size of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, that we will not have a police office open to the public after 6pm at night. I will be continuing to fight these planned cuts in Parliament and I urge the chief constable and the justice secretary to take onboard the public outcry on this matter and scrap these flawed plans.”

Mr McClymont, added: “It is clear that local people believe, as I do, that Cumbernauld must have a police station accessible at all times.”