Scotland faces 'policing deserts' from budget cuts

Parts of Scotland are experiencing what some officers are calling "policing deserts." The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) blamed this situation on chronic underfunding by the Scottish National Party (SNP) government. They argue that financial cuts have led to the closure of many police stations, resulting in areas with very little police presence. At a conference in Turnberry, SPF Chairman David Threadgold criticized the Justice Secretary, Angela Constance. He stated that Police Scotland is now mostly a reactive service and said the government should feel ashamed of its policing record. Officers laughed when Ms. Constance claimed that policing still offers excellent career opportunities, suggesting many in the audience disagreed with her view. Threadgold mentioned that since the creation of Police Scotland, over 140 stations have closed, with three in just the last month. He emphasized that this lack of investment is causing significant challenges for officers and communities. The SPF noted that while demand for police services remains high, the resources provided are insufficient. In response, Constance acknowledged the difficulties police officers face and stated the government has invested heavily in policing, with £14.6 billion allocated since the formation of the single police force. However, many officers remain concerned about increasing crime rates and the effectiveness of current policing strategies. The SPF pointed out that recorded crimes have been rising, including serious offenses like violence and robbery. They highlighted that the existing system of policing may lead people to feel discouraged from reporting crimes.