More than 1,000 concerned north and north-east residents have backed the Press and Journal’s fight to save police call centres in Aberdeen and Inverness.
The campaign was launched after Police Scotland announced plans to press ahead with closing the control rooms – despite strong local opposition.
Earlier this month the force confirmed the call centres in Aberdeen and Inverness would be shut this year.
Both 999 and 101 calls will then be answered at one of three centres in the central belt, before being passed on to a centre in Dundee to co-ordinate with officers across the north and north-east of Scotland.
North-east Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald – one of dozens of high-profile politicians to have backed the Press and Journal’s campaign – said he was “delighted” the petition had hit its target.
He said: “There is a growing body of opinion that agrees that there is no need for these closures to go ahead.
“Police Scotland have themselves recognised that they could not proceed on their original timetable to close the call centres, which gives them an opportunity to think again.
“I am delighted so many people have got behind the campaign. People across Aberdeen and the north-east, as well as the Highlands and islands, are deeply concerned by the potential loss of local knowledge and believe this is an unnecessary step.
“I would call on anyone who agrees that these closures are unnecessary to sign the petition.”
The effectiveness of police call handling procedures has been under increased scrutiny following the M9 tragedy, where a couple were left in their wrecked vehicle – despite the accident being reported three days earlier.
Police Scotland have insisted call handling procedures will be robust despite the control room closures.
But local residents signing the petition disagree, with David Dawson writing: “Local knowledge is essential.
“Many place names throughout the Highlands and islands on Ordnance Survey maps are often accorded a local title.
“What about a garbled emergency call from a person in distress in Sandwick – would that be Sandwick (Lewis), Sandwick (Shetland) or Sandwick (Orkney)?
“When 999 calls were routed to local police stations in these respective areas there could be no doubt as to where the caller was.
“If the Scottish Government are so committed – as they claim – to empowering local communities then perhaps they should put their money where their mouth is.”
The petition can be signed at
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-our-call-centres-keep-999-local
.