Councillors slam potential 101 number closure

MORAY councillors have hit out at spending cuts which could threaten Police Scotland's 101 number.

At a full Moray Council meeting yesterday (December 8), councillors agreed to send a letter to Police Scotland to highlight the local importance of the telephone line.

Councillor John Divers submitted a notice of motion expressing concern over the potential closure which was seconded by Councillor Donald Gatt.

The motion asked the head of the police and fire and rescue services committee to write to the Scottish Government and the board of the Scottish Police Authority.

Introducing his motion, Cllr Divers said: "I am extremely concerned about the impact these proposed cuts will have on an area like Moray.

"We are fortunate not to have many serious police emergencies.

"But what that means is that the bulk of service use in Moray is for non-emergency issues, like reporting crimes after the fact.

"Closing the 101 number sends a dangerous signal that police aren't interested in anything that isn't an emergency.

"In these circumstances how is a person, especially an older person without internet access who maybe cannot get to a police station, supposed to report a crime?"

Concerns over the 101 number were originally raised in October after Police Scotland told a Scottish Parliament committee that the force needed to make over £200 million of cuts.

Cllr Gatt said that taking away the 101 number could impact 999 services.

He said: "Thanks to Cllr Divers for the chance to second this motion.

"I don't think there will be any councillor in the chamber, or indeed online, who has not had to address constituent issues about the police service.

"Either about complaints over speeding or anti-social behaviour, or indeed about trying to get hold of the police.

"We police in this country by consent.

"Part of that is the police service being seen and being accessible by the public.

"To withdraw or even threaten to withdraw the 101 service would have a detrimental effect.

"It could indeed put great pressure on the 999 service as it would be the only other way to physically contact the police.

"So I agree with everything Cllr Divers has said on this matter and I fully support the motion."

SNP Councillor Graham Leadbitter agreed with the motion, but asked that only the board of the Scottish Police Authority be written to.

The original motion suggested that the head of the committee also write to the Scottish Government, but Cllr Leadbitter argued that Holyrood had no say in providing the 101 service.

Councillor Leadbitter said: "I will actually agree with what has been said by Cllr Divers and Cllr Gatt.

"The remarks made by the Deputy Chief Officer at the Scottish Parliament were concerning in general and I think we need clarity.

"I am, personally, reasonably hopeful there will be some positive clarity around that."

Cllr Divers and Cllr Gatt were happy to agree to the change.

Head of the fire and police committee Councillor Peter Bloomfield was asked if he would write the letter mentioned in the motion.

In response, he said: "Thank you chair. Yes, very happy, and I support it wholeheartedly."