Axe hangs over Thornhill Police Station

POLICE Scotland is asking members of the public to give their views on a proposal to dispose of Thornhill police station.

They say it no longer serves an operational purpose and that officers instead are based in Sanquhar or Dumfries.

And it’s stressed that a mobile office covers the area, and that if the change goes ahead there would be no change to the level of service or response to the community locally.

Commenting, local area commander Chief Inspector Duncan Cameron said: “The disposal of Thornhill should not be seen as a withdrawal from communities. We want to maintain a local presence, however in ways that are more effective, sustainable and accessible. Our police stations serve as a base for officers, where they begin and end their shift. Our officers spend the majority of their shift out in the community.

“Advances in technology have also meant that our officers no longer have to return to a police station to complete reports. Statements and incident information is recorded on mobile devices that are standard issue to all officers, allowing them to patrol and respond effectively without relying on a fixed location.

“Thornhill is a vacant station and is no longer required.”

He added: “Our mobile office is also already well established within the Thornhill area and supports regular community engagement, including surgeries conducted either from the mobile office itself or from partner facilities. This will continue to operate and is regularly advertised through local social channels and within the community, ensuring visibility and access to local officers.

“If our proposal goes ahead, there would be no change to the level of service or response to the community. Officers would continue to patrol and respond to incidents as they always have.”

Police Scotland are keen to gather the views of the local community prior to making a final decision and have launched a public consultation on the matter. It will close on December 4.