Police reform risks ‘return to the 1970s’

Controversial plans to create a single national police force could see a return to the 1970s as officers are taken off the frontline, opposition parties have warned.

MSPs will today vote on the Scottish Government’s plans to effectively scrap the current eight regional forces. Ministers are also proposing to create a national fire service.

Labour’s justice spokesman Lewis Macdonald says his party backs the overhaul.

But he added: “That must not mean frontline police officers being taken off the beat to cover the duties of the police staff that are being cut by the SNP government.

“Unless the SNP government changes course and stops sacking so many police staff, they risk taking policing in Scotland back to the 1970s.”

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill, who held talks with the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents yesterday, has said that a single police and fire service for Scotland will save an estimated £130 million a year and £1.7 billion over 15 years.

A government spokesman said frontline policing and fire services will be protected. “Reform will mean doing things differently – working more effectively and efficiently,” he said.