Dave Thompson MSP

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson has called for an assurance that Scotland’s rural communities will continue to be protected under plans to reorganise the country’s police forces.

Mr Thompson welcomed Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill’s statement to Holyrood on Wednesday afternoon but stressed his concern that a single police force for Scotland could lead to a loss of power and decision-making for the north of Scotland.

During the debate, the Nationalist MSP said: "I have real concerns about centralisation. The Highlands and Islands are different; our needs are different.

"The Cabinet Secretary has given assurances that these changes will not lead to centralisation and loss of local control but can he elaborate a bit on what safeguards for local accountability may be built in to any new structure?"

Speaking after the matter was discussed at Holyrood, Mr Thompson added: "I am pleased that Kenny MacAskill, as an SNP Justice Minister, knows the importance of local communities and the difference between policing in Glasgow and policing in the rural Highlands and Islands and has given an assurance that he wants to see local control enhanced.

"I would urge communities across the Highlands and Islands to share their views with me and with the Scottish Government on how we can enhance local control, protect police numbers and reduce management costs. My concern is that any move to centralise these services into a single Scottish force will effectively swap control from Inverness for control from Glasgow or Edinburgh and lead to a loss of decision making power and senior posts from the north of Scotland.

"At the moment my preference is for a four-force model and an expansion of Northern Constabulary to take in Moray and Argyll; regions which have the same issues as the current force area. The Highlands and Islands are still a special case and I am not confident decision makers in Glasgow or Edinburgh understand the special needs this area has.

"However I remain open to further detail about how a new structure for a smaller number of forces will continue to allow for local needs to be heard and taken into account.

"While the Lib Dems are willing to sacrifice front line officers in favour of senior managers salaries and Labour want to centralise services with no thought for local needs the SNP is working together with people and police officers across Scotland to build a better police service with local communities at its heart."