Police and fire service mark Scotland-wide mergers

THE emergency services in Tayside held a ceremonial drive past in Perth today to mark the amalgamation of the Tayside Police and Fire services into Scotland-wide organisations.

During the ceremony Chief Constable Justine Curran and Chief Fire Officer Dave Boyle handed over their services’ ceremonial crests to the safekeeping of local authority representatives.

Tayside Police and the Tayside Fire and Rescue will become part of single national services on 1 April.

Chief Constable Curran said: “It has been an absolute honour to serve as Chief Constable of Tayside Police and build on the legacy of high quality local policing in this area and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved. Crime is down, the fear of crime is down and public satisfaction continues to grow.

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“Today marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in Scottish Policing. I know that the communities of Tayside will continue to be served by professional and committed officers and staff and who will continue to go that extra mile to provide the type of local policing our communities expect and deserve and to make a difference.”

Chief Fire Officer Boyle, said: “As Chief Fire Officer it gives me great pleasure to formally recognise the support that Tayside Fire Brigade and Tayside Fire and Rescue has received from the communities of Angus, Dundee and Perth and Kinross since our creation in 1975.

“As we move towards the commencement of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, we look forward to strengthening our connections with the communities we serve.”

Liz Grant, the Provost of Perth and Kinross, said: “Perth and Kinross is at the heart of the Tayside region and therefore it is fitting that we honour and mark the forthcoming change to the single Scottish Police and Fire and Rescue services in the Fair City.

“All those who work in these key blue light emergency services locally are to be praised for their commitment to the safety and care of our communities.”