Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, aware of the upcoming decision regarding the possible closure of Police Control Centre locations, has welcomed the announcement of the role envisioned for the Inverness Control Centre, but also suggests a modest further enhancement, that it continues to field Highlands and Islands 999 calls.

Mr Thompson said: “It is very good news that Inverness is proposed to host both the 24/7 National Database Enquiry and the Crisis and Event Management resource.

“I met Chief Constable House and the Chairman of the Board to discuss Inverness resourcing last year and my senior sources tell me that the existing resources of 64 staff are safe and there will probably be additional recruitment (if the proposals as presented are accepted by the Board on 30th Jan).

Inverness will also provide back-up emergency and overflow support to the other three Control Centres. But Mr Thompson said:

“The Highlands and Islands’ particular size and geographical features mean that the services delivered by the Inverness Police Control Centre uniquely addresses its needs and that its closure could alienate the area’s population.

“Local knowledge in terms of the geography, weather, and state of the various access roads and ferries to an emergency, as well as knowledge of the necessarily widely dispersed Police resources adds to the argument.

He went on to say, “It seems perverse, when the Control staff in Inverness are there to provide potential backup services, that 999 calls from the Highlands are not routed directly there rather than to Dundee.

“So I am writing to the Chief Constable and the Board to ask that the proposal as presented is adjusted marginally to allow this to happen for all these reasons.”