POLICE Scotland is “struggling” to keep its buildings, vehicles and computer equipment functioning because of a lack of cash, MSPs have been told.
And senior figures from the force have warned that the condition of police stations and other parts of the estate could get worse unless additional resources were found.
David Page, deputy chief officer with Police Scotland, said that as it stood the force was effectively “putting band aids” on to try to deal with problems with buildings, vehicles and computer systems. He stated: “We’ve got to try to keep the fleet, estate and ICT working, which we are struggling to do.”
He spoke out at the same time as chief financial officer James Gray said the force had not yet received any indication as to whether it would get extra money for capital spending next year.
He said: “We do have a positive case around the benefits we can bring through getting our asset base, our buildings, our vehicles and our ICT into a fit-for-purpose state for policing in the 21st century. I think it is understood we do require additional capital funding, and we await the outcome of the budget to see if that reflects what we have said in hard cash.”
Their comments came after the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) – which represents rank and file officers – said earlier this year that two police stations should be closed because of health and safety concerns.
Oban police station was described as “unfit for human habitation”, with mould and crumbling plasterwork, while the station at Lochgilphead had suffered a rat infestation.
But Police Scotland could only allocate 12.5% of its budget to deal with “non pay”, such as the condition of buildings and police vehicles, Page said.
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