Police face shakeup
SELKIRK has been linked with Hawick and Jedburgh in a new community policy area (CPA), formed ahead of major cuts to police budgets in the Lothian and Borders.
The creation of three CPAs, to replace the five sections in G Division (the Borders), was confirmed this week by Superintendent Murdo MacIver, recently-appointed area commander based in Hawick.
Selkirk has been operationally linked with Melrose and, latterly, Galashiels. But now it is being policed from the south CPA, while Galashiels, Melrose and Peebles will comprise the north CPA. The east CPA will include Kelso, Duns and Eyemouth.
Mr MacIver said the restructuring was designed to protect frontline services and would free up 10 sergeants to supervise constables. The number of community officers in the region would be boosted from six to 19.
Mr MacIver said the future of police stations would come under scrutiny in a major review of policing in the constabulary, being headed up by former G Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Graham Sinclair.
Details would emerge in November, when local authorities, including Scottish Borders Council, which fund police services, would know the full extent of budget cuts.
Mr MacIver expects that his 11.9million annual budget will be cut by 25 per cent over the next four years.
"In these circumstances, I am trying to position the Borders to ensure that frontline policing, with high officer visibility in each community, is maintained," he said.
There are 246 serving officers in the Borders, 150 in front line policing and the others with specialist units, including CID, child protection, licensing and safer communities. A further 68 support (civilian staff) are also employed.
Mr MacIver rubbished recent press reports that 50 officers could be shed in the next year. "If that was to happen, I could not run a police service in the Borders."
Four unmanned stations in the region - Innerleithen, West Linton, Earlston and Newcastleton, are likely to close and be disposed of - while stations such as Selkirk, given cuts in support staff, will have its public hours cut.
He said the new CPA sergeants were committed to liaising with community councils to ensure issues of local concern continued to be targeted by officers.
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Weather for Selkirk
Sunday 12 February 2012
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Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
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