Prestwick and Troon police stations to lose assistants

Mar 12 2010 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

POLICE stations will lose their civilian receptionist as budget cuts hit the service.

Troon and Prestwick police offices are the latest stations to succumb to financial pressure.

But the move won’t affect the service, according to South Ayrshire’s top cop.

For Superintendent John Hazlett has reassured MSP John Scott that it’s business as usual in the fight against crime.

Mr Scott said: “I have been specifically reassured that there will be no change to the number of police officers currently deployed in Troon or Prestwick.

“I am, however, still concerned at the long term impact that this deficit might have and I remain very much of the view that if there is any threat whatsoever to frontline policing numbers or to the police having the necessary resources to undertake their operation, then the government will have to step in and take action.”

The move comes as a massive £16 million deficit in the police budget is revealed.

And it follows news that Cumnock police office reception will not be manned overnight.

From April 1 this year, the door to the station will be closed. But a phone will be fitted so that the public can speak to police.

However, there will continue to be a 24-hour police operation from the station.

Mr Scott continued: “Over the last year substantial reductions have been achieved across most categories of crime, with crimes of violence, robberies and drug supply offences all declining.

“This is only possible through a combination of the dedicated effort of local police officers and the availability of the necessary resources.

“So any move that would reduce the capacity of the police to effectively deal with crime and antisocial behaviour on our streets would be totally unacceptable.”