I warned over police station closure

It has been revealed that Police Scotland has permanently closed Ferguslie Park police station in what will be hugely disappointing news for many local residents.

- BY WEST SCOTLAND MSP NEIL BIBBY

The complete disposal of the premises follows its effective closure last summer when the officers based there were moved to Johnstone.

I warned last year that the removal of officers from the station could impact the effectiveness of the police not just in Ferguslie Park but across Paisley.

Our local police officers do important work to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour and to ensure the safety of local people.

But now all of Paisley's community policing teams will permanently be forced to travel to and from Johnstone, spending precious time in doing so.

The move is the latest step in the centralisation and underinvestment of Scotland's police services under this SNP Scottish Government's watch.

And it is precisely the opposite of what local residents tell me they want from the police.