A police chief has said that closing eight stations in the region is “not a done deal”.
Dumfries and Galloway Divisional Commander Gary Ritchie told the police, fire and rescue sub committee yesterday that although he’s “not convinced that having an office sitting empty in a community is a benefit”, the proposals are not a “fait accompli”.
The Standard broke the news last month that Police Scotland had carried out a survey to earmark buildings which could be sold.
Thornhill, Moffat, Dalbeattie, Dalry, Kirkcudbright, Langholm, Whithorn and Gretna are under threat.
It comes two years after the closure of Dumfries police control room with the loss of 50 jobs.
At the time, Mr Ritchie said Police Scotland’s “existing estate has evolved over the years and should be modern, flexible and fit for future policing across the wide range of communities we serve”.
He said any decisions would be made in consultation with communities.
Closing the stations would save around £105,000.
The sale of any of the buildings would go to the Scottish Police Authority which owns the properties.
Dumfries councillor Jack Groom yesterday called for a public meeting to be held to give people the chance to have their say because they “didn’t get to do that before the control room closed”.
And Gretna councillor Craig Peacock claimed the “consultation” is just a tick box exercise.
But Mr Ritchie replied: “This is not a fait accompli at all. We will be consulting with communities. Please give us a chance.”
He said the stations earmarked for closure all have a “very light public footfall and low use in respect of custody provision”, which were the main factors in deciding on which ones the axe should fall.