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Almost 600 sign P&J petition to keep police call centres open

More than a thousand concerned north and north-east residents have already signed the Press and Journal petition calling for a halt to the closures
More than a thousand concerned north and north-east residents have already signed the Press and Journal petition calling for a halt to the closures

Almost 600 people have signed the Press and Journal’s petition calling for police call centres to remain local.

Hundreds of concerned north and north-east residents have already joined politicians, community leaders and rescue workers in backing the campaign.

A damning report following the M9 crash scandal has cast fresh doubt over the case for closing the Aberdeen and Inverness control rooms.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland has recommended keeping the centres open until there is “independent assurance” over call handling procedures.

Police Scotland currently propose to shut the call centres in Aberdeen and Inverness.

All calls would then be handled through three centres in the central belt, before being passed on to a control room in Dundee.

One of those who signed the petition, Bill Michie, from Nairn, said: “Keeping police call centres local is the only way to ensure the safety of the public in emergency situations.”

William Fraser from Inverness, added: “Experience of the new force has shown that total centralisation is not working.

“Local knowledge must be better able to prioritise calls and retain the public confidence in the service.”

Kathleen Davidson said: “Keeping call centres local could be the difference between life and death.”

Politicians from across the political spectrum, including local MSPs Alex Johnstone, Lewis Macdonald and John Finnie have all backed the petition.

Recently, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale became the 500th person to sign the petition.

Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson and Aberdeen City Council finance convener Willie Young have also lent their support to the campaign, as has Willie Anderson, leader of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team.

To sign the petition, visit www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-our-call-centres-keep-999-local