Government's 'sustained neglect' of police stations

FOI request reveals over 300 facilities in need of repairs

- ROSS THOMSON

A Lanarkshire MSP has slammed the Scottish Government's “sustained neglect” of policing in Lanarkshire.

Graham Simpson’s comments come after the Scottish Conservatives uncovered that over 300 police stations across Scotland require repairs.

The Freedom of Information (FOI) response received by the party shows that in Lanarkshire 26 stations are in need of repair or have been declared unfit for purpose.

The response also shows that almost 100 police stations have been sold off since 2016.

Central Scotland Tory list MSP Simpson said: “These shocking figures expose the SNP's sustained neglect of policing in Central Scotland.

“Local people will be appealed that so many police stations needs repairs or have been declared unfit for purpose.

“It speaks volumes that, despite the SNP’s centralised police force selling almost 100 buildings since 2016, they still do not have the funds to carry out these repairs due to savage SNP cuts to police budgets.