Greater than 100 police stations have closed throughout Scotland for the reason that merger which created the nationwide constabulary in 2013, it may be revealed.
Opposition politicians hit out on the scale of the closures which they claimed had left communities "much less protected".
Police Scotland has shuttered 140 devoted stations and workplaces in lower than a decade - however prime brass insisted it at all times "rigorously thought of all choices" when it got here to its buildings.
Calum Steele, common secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, stated: "I've spent the previous few weeks speaking to members of the general public, councillors, MSPs, MPs, and our personal members on this very topic.
"With out exception they contemplate that retrenchment into extra city centres is having a detrimental affect on the policing of distant and rural areas, with many communities no longer phoning the police as they've little confidence of a significant response.
"It is a devastating evaluation and officers and communities in distant and rural Scotland deserve significantly better.
"The very important hyperlink that when tied law enforcement officials to native communities is being systematically eroded and we are going to all be poorer because of this.”
Jamie Greene, the Scottish Conservative justice spokesman, branded the closures a “cynical try to save cash” by the Scottish Authorities, which he stated had “undoubtedly made our streets much less protected”.
Lib Dem justice spokesman Liam McArthur stated: "Having police primarily based throughout the nation is important for neighborhood policing and the closure of so many stations dangers hollowing out the power to make this mannequin work successfully."
The variety of station closures was uncovered by the 1919 present affairs journal.
Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr stated: "Scotland’s policing property has been constructed up over the course of a number of many years and has suffered from a historic lack of funding beneath legacy preparations.
"Some buildings are now not in the appropriate place, usually are not operationally match for function and never designed in a means which permits us to work alongside key supply companions.
"We rigorously contemplate all choices concerning using policing buildings, together with co-location or relocation and seek the advice of with a variety of stakeholders and the area people."
A Scottish Authorities spokesperson stated: “The allocation of assets, together with for the police property, is for the Scottish Police Authority and the Chief Constable to find out.
"Nonetheless, the Police capital price range has greater than doubled since 2017/18, supporting continued funding within the police property.
"Police Scotland has prioritised the progress of a brand new and impressive estates technique which is able to result in enhancements within the working atmosphere for all officers and workers consistent with the target to proactively take care of their wellbeing."
Final 12 months it emerged that Police Scotland had made £28.5 million after promoting off 96 of its outdated properties.
On the time an additional 26 have been both beneath provide, available on the market, being ready to go up on the market or for proposed neighborhood switch.
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