Leader welcomes delay in closure of Inverness Police Control Room

26th August 2016

The Leader of the Council has welcomed the announcement by Police Scotland of their plan to delay the closure of the Inverness Control Room and transfer of command and control to Dundee until June 2017.

Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson said: "The HMICS (Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabularies Scotland) Report set the bar high for standards of assurance and we need to have a guarantee that all these standards have been met before any changes can take place.

"It is good news that the plans for Inverness have been delayed until next summer. However, whilst this is a positive step, it is not too late to reconsider the strategic direction for Control Rooms and to keep a Control Room in the Highlands, where we have experienced, skilled and knowledgeable staff, based in a recognised Strategic Coordinating Centre. So I will continue to press Mr Gormley for a rethink on this matter."

Chair of the Communities and Partnerships Committee, Cllr Hamish Fraser added: "I am pleased to hear of this revised timescale and I am sure that staff in the control rooms will welcome these few months of reprieve in what is a very uncertain time for them. There are still clear concerns about the changes to be made and Police Scotland need to consider the risk of losing public confidence and support by continuing down this route."